Background Reference

Covers the most critical issues facing American society today. Topic range from biotechnology to identity theft, from racial profiling to corporate governance, from school choice to food safety.

From terrorism to social inequality and from health care to environmental issues, social problems affect us all. The Encyclopedia will offer an interdisciplinary perspective into these and many other social problems that are a continuing concern in our lives, whether we confront them on a personal, local, regional, national, or global level. The goal of the Encyclopedia of Social Problems is to provide a premier reference tool for students, scholars, and professionals with a wide range of specialties. Covering all of the major theories, approaches, and contemporary issues in social problems and their interconnectedness, the Encyclopedia will also provide insight into how social conditions get defined as social problems, and the ways different people and organizations view and try to solve them. The Encyclopedia will be organized in A-to-Z format with cross-referencing of entries around a series of broad themes.

This encyclopedia defines "social issue" broadly, including subjects such as the environment, medicine, defense, media, politics, and the economy under its rubric. The approximately 160 entries, spread out over seven volumes, provide both historical background and discussion of contemporary aspects. A typical entry presents a chronology of the issue, narrative discussion of historical and contemporary developments, a glossary, one or more primary source documents, and a guide to further reading.

Social Work Speaks, is organized alphabetically and by topic area. Readers will find policy statements covering the full range of contemporary social issues—adolescent health, crime victim assistance, education of children and youths, electorial policies, hospice care, immigrants and refugees, and others.