This text focuses on the significance of race, class, and gender; uses personal narratives to convey how problems are experienced by individuals and groups; and applies sociological perspectives throughout to examine social issues.

In the fifth edition of Social Problems in a Diverse Society, author Diana Kendall continues to focus on the significance of race, class, and gender as key factors in our understanding of social problems in the United Stated and around the globe. Throughout the text, all people - but particularly people of color and white women - are shown not merely as "victims" of social problems, but as individuals who resist discrimination and inequality and seek to bring about changes in families, schools, workplaces, and the larger society. The author, who specializes in social theory, uses the three main sociological perspectives throughout the text, along with contemporary feminist and humanist perspectives. Authentic, first person accounts - "real words from real people" create interest and show how the problems being discussed affect people as they go about their daily lives. This new edition has numerous new references, many new boxed features, and substantial updating throughout.