World View of Social Issues – serie

Are crime rates rising or falling around the world? Are specific types of crime more prevalent in some cultures than others? Do different cultures vary greatly in their attitudes toward crime prevention? Students will find answers to these and similar questions in this unique resource of 15 case studies exploring the problems of crime and crime control in different countries, ranging from Germany to Ghana, to around the world. Cross-cultural comparisons examine the history, the public perceptions, contemporary problems, and the future of crime and crime control in each country. The comparisons also provide readers with the opportunity to discover both the many differences and the many similarities that exist among the different cultures in their rates of crime, forms of prevention, and attitudes toward it.Each of the 15 chapters opens with a brief overview, which includes the type of government and the living environment of the country to introduce readers to the population. The countries were chosen to represent every region of the world and to provide as broad a picture as possible when exploring the issues presented by the problem of crime and different cultures' efforts to control it. The user-friendly format of the volume, with each chapter following the same outline, makes it easy for readers to compare specific aspects among the 15 cultures. These different views of the crime problem around the world and what it means to different people will help students to understand it in a broad sense as a social issue that affects all of humanity.

Although child abuse and neglect is a tragic social problem affecting the lives of many individuals worldwide, the way it is defined, prevented and treated differs from country to country. This unique international survey allows readers to identify the differences and similarities that exist among a variety of cultures when it comes to defining and preventing the problem. Scholars in the field have provided qualitative and quantitative data on the many issues surrounding this universal problem in 16 different countries chosen to represent all regions of the world.Each chapter addresses one country and explores the ways in which it approaches the problem, including: the history of child abuse, how child abuse is defined, the prevalence of abuse, child protection and legal actions taken when abuse is suspected, remedial services available for families and abused children, legal innovations available for child witnesses/victims of abuse, legislative reforms, legal ramifications for offenders, and preventative measures. Readers can choose one or more of these aspects and compare how each differs from country to country. These cross-cultural comparisons can help readers identify how each country's historical perspective and definition of child abuse and neglect determines how each society identifies, prevents and treats the issue, why the problem persists, and what might be done to prevent it worldwide.

The complexities and tragedies arising from teen violence are problems faced on every continent in the world. Fourteen case studies of carefully selected countries, representative of every region of the world, are presented in this absorbing volume that is the first to examine the causes and possible solutions for the problem of teen violence around the world. Students and teachers can make cross-cultural comparisons to discover how the problem is viewed in different countries, how the problem is changing, which factors seem to contribute to the rate of teen violence in almost all of the countries and which are unique to specific countries. Readers can also take a fascinating look at the various solutions to the problem that have been proposed and tested throughout the world.Each chapter is divided into similar subsections, so students can easily compare specific topics among different countries and cultures. They will find that the perception of teen violence in different countries does not always reflect the reality. They can discover how such factors as drug use, family dynamics,and educational settings play an important role in teen violence across many different cultures, while also discovering the unique settings and situations that contribute to violence in unfamiliar cultures. This world view will help build better understanding of how social issues affect all societies.

Are women fighting over the same issues and for the same rights all around the world? What are the gains that have been made for women in different cultures over the past 200 years? Students will find answers to these and similar questions in this unique resource of fifteen case studies exploring the problems surrounding the fight for women's rights in different countries, ranging from Argentina to Zimbabwe. The history, the public perceptions, contemporary problems, the future of women's rights, and the roles of activists concerning these rights are examined. The detailed explorations provide readers with the opportunity to discover the different cultural attitudes toward women.In order to facilitate comparisons, each chapter follows a similar outcome. The countries were chosen to represent every region of the world and to provide as broad a picture as possible of the issues presented by women's struggles for equality. Each case study asks how national, cultural, class, racial, and religious differences have influenced women's rights. These different views of ways in which women have sought their rights around the world will help students to understand the fight for women's rights in a broad sense as a social issue that affects all of humanity.

Historically, in most cultures, domestic violence has been an accepted fact of life. Only in recent years has it begun to be viewed as a criminal problem, and in many societies, it is still culturally acceptable. This informative reference resource allows students to compare and contrast the ways in which domestic abuse is viewed and handled by thirteen different representative countries from around the world. Students are encouraged to think critically to determine which cultures have been the most successful in dealing with domestic abuse and which prevailing techniques have been shared around the world to try to eliminate this very serious problem.The countries chosen represent vastly different geographic regions and cultures. Each chapter describes how domestic violence is perceived in a particular country and follows with information on the incidence or extent of the problem in that country, as well as specific programs and approaches that have been taken to prevent and control it. This international perspective encourages students to recognize the problem as a global one, providing greater insight into the ways in which we can address it and find solutions to prevent it worldwide.

Teenage pregnancy is a worldwide problem that accompanies the initiation of sexual activity at increasingly younger ages. This unique reference resource provides students with cross-cultural comparisons of the issues associated with teenage pregnancy. How do different cultures deal with this problem? How has the problem changed in recent years? What programs have been initiated to try to control the problem? Answers to these and other questions for fifteen different countries are explored in detail to give a global perspective and to challenge students to think about how the problem should be addressed.The fifteen countries represented have been carefully chosen to represent the different regions of the world. Student researchers can use this resource to study the similarities that cross national and regional boundaries despite the varying needs and experiences of adolescents around the world. By understanding the history of teenage pregnancy and how it is viewed both socially and politically in each of the countries, students can come to an understanding of how it affects the world, what its dangers are, and how we can come up with a comprehensive strategy for preventing and coping with it everywhere.

The tragedies arising from HIV and AIDS are problems faced on every continent in the world. Case studies of carefully selected countries, representative of every region of the world, are presented in this unique volume. Students, teachers, and researchers can make cross-cultural comparisons to discover how the problem is viewed in different countries, how the problem is changing, what kinds of research is being conducted worldwide to find appropriate interventions for the problem and other details of how this disease affects different societies.Each chapter is divided into similar subsections including the history of HIV and AIDS, the prevalence of HIV and AIDS, public and political views of the problem, and preventative measures. Readers can choose one or more of these aspects and compare how each differs from country to country. Here they will find that perceptions of the problem and the perceptions of degree to which people are taking preventative measures against the disease does not always reflect the reality. This worldview will help students and scholars to think critically about how building a better understanding of how a specific social issue is viewed and handled worldwide can help build a better world community.

Teen gangs are a hot issue in the United States. This volume shows the international scope of the phenomenon today. Gang activity in 14 countries, including the United States, is discussed within the larger framework of social and economic conditions. Each chapter explains the nature of the gang activity in that country; touches on the causes, such as poverty, marginalization, and self-identity problems; and heavily emphasizes the responses, including education and community-based intervention. Students and researchers will find a wealth of current information on teen gangs to mine and use for comparisons.

An unprecedented number of children around the world are working today. This volume is a must-have, up-to-date survey for student research. In the 15 examined countries, poverty, lack of education, gender inequity, the demands of the global marketplace, and easy sex tourism are key factors contributing to the child labor crisis. Each chapter depicts the child labor scene in a particular country, along with detailed conditions, the history of the problem, the present state of child labor, political policies, and social aspects, and the ultimate outlook.Child labor is a complex social and political issue with a long and evolving history. The phenomenon of child labor, including prostitution, has been a focus of debate especially in the last two centuries and continues to generate fierce reactions. An unprecedented number of children around the world are working today. This volume is a must-have, up-to-date survey for student research. In the 15 examined countries, poverty, lack of education, gender inequity, the demands of the global marketplace, and easy sex tourism are key factors contributing to the child labor crisis. Each chapter depicts the child labor scene in a particular country, along with detailed conditions, the history of the problem, the present state of child labor, political policies and social aspects, and the ultimate outlook.The scope of the topic is wide, and basic definitions of what constitutes child and labor vary from country to country. International laws and conventions promoted by labor and human rights groups are establishing new norms to counteract harsh cultural and economic realities, but these and similar local laws are hard to enforce. These issues are explored, and vignettes from the children's point of view add a human-interest angle to the narrative.