There is no adequate definition of social problems within sociology, and there is not and never has been a sociology of social problems. That observation is the point of departure of this book. The authors aim to provide such a definition and to prepare the ground for the empirical study of social problems. They are aware that their objective will strike many fellow sociologists as ambitious, perhaps even arrogant. Their work challenges sociologists who have, over a period of fifty years, written treatises on social problems, produced textbooks cataloguing the nature, distribution, and causes of these problems, and taught many sociology courses. It is only natural that the authors' work will be viewed as controversial in light of the large literature which has established a "sociology of" a wide range of social problems-the sociology of race relations, prostitution, poverty, crime, mental illness, and so forth.In the 1970s when the authors were preparing for a seminar on the sociology of social problems, their review of the "literature" revealed the absence of any systematic, coherent statement of theory or method in the study of social problems. For many years the subject was listed and offered by university departments of sociology as a "service course" to present undergraduates with what they should know about the various "social pathologies" that exist in their society. This conception of social problems for several decades has been reflected in the substance and quality of the literature dominated by textbooks.In Constructing Social Problems, the authors propose that social problems be conceived as the claims-making activities of individuals or groups regarding socialconditions they consider unjust, immoral, or harmful and that should be addressed. This perspective, as the authors have formulated it, conceives of social problems as a process of interaction that produces social problems as social facts in society. The authors further propose
Industry Reviews
-These papers, conveying as they do two decades of 'work, ' reveal a man who is increasingly at ease with himself and his materials. Even the choice of title indicates the sense of proportion and balance that has characterized Becker's efforts. . . . Becker's work is not only eminently political, but frankly humanitarian. . . . Sociological Work is a rich resource. It requires no defense and warrants no assaults. . . . It needs only to be read and understood.-
--Irving Louis Horowitz, American Sociological Review
-[A] refreshing departure from mundane approaches with a priori 'correct' methods. . . . Becker's contact with reality is amply evidenced in his descriptions of social positions and circumstances. He brings to light perspectives which would seem difficult to derive without actually being in the positions described.-
--Edward Silvio Emery, Social Science "These papers, conveying as they do two decades of 'work, ' reveal a man who is increasingly at ease with himself and his materials. Even the choice of title indicates the sense of proportion and balance that has characterized Becker's efforts. . . . Becker's work is not only eminently political, but frankly humanitarian. . . . Sociological Work is a rich resource. It requires no defense and warrants no assaults. . . . It needs only to be read and understood."
--Irving Louis Horowitz, American Sociological Review
"[A] refreshing departure from mundane approaches with a priori 'correct' methods. . . . Becker's contact with reality is amply evidenced in his descriptions of social positions and circumstances. He brings to light perspectives which would seem difficult to derive without actually being in the positions described."
--Edward Silvio Emery, Social Science "These papers, conveying as they do two decades of 'work, ' reveal a man who is increasingly at ease with himself and his materials. Even the choice of title indicates the sense of proportion and balance that has characterized Becker's efforts. . . . Becker's work is not only eminently political, but frankly humanitarian. . . . Sociological Work is a rich resource. It requires no defense and warrants no assaults. . . . It needs only to be read and understood."
--Irving Louis Horowitz, American Sociological Review
"[A] refreshing departure from mundane approaches with a priori 'correct' methods. . . . Becker's contact with reality is amply evidenced in his descriptions of social positions and circumstances. He brings to light perspectives which would seem difficult to derive without actually being in the positions described."
--Edward Silvio Emery, Social Science
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