ABSTRACT
We have seen that sociologists look at both the joys and the sufferings of human social life. Yet very often students come to sociology with a dream to make the world a better place and their concern is less with what might be positive and enjoyable in the world than with what is troubling. They are disturbed, worried or aggrieved about something – either in the wider world or their personal life. They see injustice or social problems that they want to help remedy. There is a media report on children dying in the third world; a trade union father worried about the conditions of work; a feminist mother appalled at the abuse and powerlessness of many women
across the world; a film which shows injustice and brutality in life; despair at perpetual war; anger at homophobia and racism; a worry about the environment. What, they ask, is to be done? They want to understand what is going on and turn to sociology for help.
