Building on the success of previous editions, Curran and Renzetti have meticulously revised Social Problems, updating and expanding existing coverage to ensure it is as up-to-date as possible. This edition includes new and updated coverage of such issues as welfare reform and welfare-to-work programs, terrorism, crime control policies (including the “three strikes” policy) gay marriages and the law, the abortion controversy, and health insurance.

Dan Curran and Claire Renzetti, authors of Living Sociology, Second Edition (Allyn & Bacon 2000), Women, Men, and Society, Fourth Edition (Allyn & Bacon 1999), and Theories of Crime (Allyn & Bacon 1994), have remained true to their goal of assisting students in broadening their views of the social world by seeing themselves as responsible members of a global community, not just as citizens of a single country.