SOCIAL PROBLEMS***
Book Review and Comments
The authors of Social Problems, Ninth Edition have many years of experience in related
research and writing. D. Stanley Eitzen has written such texts as Social Structure and Social
Problems in America, Elite Deviance, Criminology, Diversity in American Families, and Paths
to Homelessness: Extreme Poverty and the Urban Housing Crisis, as well as several others.
Maxine Baca Zinn is also an acclaimed author and is the recipient of the Jessie Bernard Award
from Michigan State University and the American Sociological Association. She was given this
prestigious award due to her significant work to expand sociological studies to cover the role of
women. She has done exceptional work in expanding our understanding of women of color, sex
and gender systems, family, and social problems. She has authored and co-authored many books
(several with Eitzen), including Gender Through the Prism of Difference, In Conflict and Order:
Understanding Society, and Globalization: The Transformation of Social Worlds.
Social Problems, Ninth Edition, discusses an array of subjects such as crime, corporate
crime, racism, sexism, urban decay, poverty, the politics of drugs, and terrorism. Many books on
social problems examine each topic in its own separate sphere, ignoring its interconnectedness to
the rest of society. This book is different, as it takes an integrated approach to studying social
problems and consistently maintains a sociological perspective. The authors’ overall goal is to
gain student interest in social problems, as well as incorporate the sociological perspective into
their understanding of these issues. The sociological perspective requires two fundamental
concepts. First, individuals are products of their social environment. Second, students of social
problems must take on a critical stance toward all social forms.
A major strength of this book lies in the consistency of the sociological perspective and
the connectivity of societal issues. The book also includes added features in various colored
panels throughout all the chapters. These panels provide specific examples of personal views of
those affected by a social problem, elaborate explanations, and illustrations of other societies.
The ninth edition of this book improves and expands on earlier editions by its inclusion of five
themes: (1) the structural sources of social problems; (2) the role of the United States in global
social problems; (3) the importance of class, race, gender, sexuality, and disability as sources of
inequality; (4) the critical examination of society; and (5) possible solutions to social problems.
It is also appreciated that the authors of this book are very sensitive and aware of language usage.
They aim to use language in a way that does not create any impressions of superiority of any
particular group.
Although Social Problems, Ninth Edition strives to be as inclusive as possible with social
problems, their interconnectedness, and their sociological relevance, it is impossible to include
everything that is relevant in today’s society as a whole. One suggestion for this book would be
to encourage student discussion and debate on topics within the text. Periodic and open-ended
questions may supplement student learning and understanding of social problems.
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***Eitzen, D. Stanley & Zinn, Maxine Baca (2004). Social Problems, Ninth Edition. Boston,
MA: Pearson.