ABSTRACT

Social Problems in the UK: An Introduction is the first textbook on contemporary social issues to contextualise social problems within the disciplines of sociology, social policy, criminology and applied social science. Drawing on the research and teaching experience of academics in these areas, this much-needed textbook brings together a comprehensive range of expertise. Social Problems in the UK discusses the strengthening and changing character of social construction, providing a new and invigorated way of studying the issues for all social science students. This clear, accessible textbook guides students in approaching the methodology, theory and research of social problems, and introduces the key topics in the area:

  • migration and ‘race’
  • work and unemployment        
  • poverty        
  • drugs, violence and policing        
  • youth, sub-culture and gangs       
  • childhood and education

Social Problems in the UK provides a number of helpful pedagogical features for ease of teaching and learning, including: case studies; links to data sources; textboxes highlighting examples, key figures etc.; study questions, and tips on how to undertake literature reviews and use journals and databases.

chapter 1|5 pages

Introduction

chapter 3|19 pages

Researching social problems

chapter 4|24 pages

Poverty

chapter 5|22 pages

Work and unemployment

chapter 6|25 pages

Migration

chapter 7|23 pages

Childhood and education

chapter 8|20 pages

Organised crime and its policing

chapter 9|33 pages

Youth gangs

chapter 10|3 pages

Conclusion