(eBook PDF) Sociology: A

Down-to-Earth Approach 12th Edition

Visit to download the full and correct content document:
https://ebooksecure.com/download/ebook-pdf-sociology-a-down-to-earth-approach-1
2th-edition/
 contents    vii

Chapter 5 How Sociologists Do Research 124

What Is a Valid Sociological Topic? 125 Down-to-Earth Sociology Gang Leader for a Day:
Common Sense and the Need for Sociological Research 125 Adventures of a Rogue Sociologist 134

A Research Model 126 Experiments 135

1. Selecting a Topic 126 Unobtrusive Measures 137
2. Defining the Problem 126 Deciding Which Method to Use 137
3. Reviewing the Literature 126 Controversy in Sociological Research 137

4. Formulating a Hypothesis 126 Thinking Critically Doing Controversial Research—

Counting the Homeless 138
5. Choosing a Research Method 127
Gender in Sociological Research 139
6. Collecting the Data 127
Ethics in Sociological Research 139
7. Analyzing the Results 127
Protecting the Subjects: The Brajuha Research 140
8. Sharing the Results 127
Misleading the Subjects: The Humphreys
Research Methods (Designs) 129
Research 140
Surveys 129
How Research and Theory Work Together 141
Down-to-Earth Sociology Loading the Dice:
The Real World: When the Ideal Meets the Real 141
How Not to Do Research 131
Thinking Critically Are Rapists Sick? A Close-Up View
Participant Observation (Fieldwork) 132
of Research 141
Case Studies 133 Summary and Review 142
Secondary Analysis 133
Analysis of Documents 133

Part II    Social Groups and Social Control

Chapter 6 Societies to Social Networks 144

Societies and Their Transformation 145 Group Dynamics 158

Hunting and Gathering Societies 146 Effects of Group Size on Stability and Intimacy 158
Pastoral and Horticultural Societies 147 Cultural Diversity in the United States
Do Your Social Networks Perpetuate Social
Agricultural Societies 148
Inequality? 159
Industrial Societies 149
Effects of Group Size on Attitudes and Behavior 160
Postindustrial (Information) Societies 149
Leadership 161
Biotech Societies: Is a New Type of Society Emerging? 150
The Power of Peer Pressure: The Asch Experiment 164
Sociology and the New Technology Avatar Fantasy Life:
The Blurring Lines of Reality 151 The Power of Authority: The Milgram Experiment 165
Sociology and the New Technology “So, You Want to Thinking Critically If Hitler Asked You to Execute a
Be Yourself?” Cloning and the Future of Society 152 Stranger, Would You? The Milgram Experiment 165
Groups within Society 152 Global Consequences of Group Dynamics:
Groupthink 167
Primary Groups 152
Summary and Review 168
Secondary Groups 154
In-Groups and Out-Groups 154
Reference Groups 155
Social Networks 156
viii    contents
Chapter 7 Bureaucracy and Formal Organizations
The Rationalization of Society 172
Why Did Society Make a Deep Shift in Human
Relationships? 172
Marx: Capitalism Broke Tradition 173
Weber: Religion Broke Tradition 173
Formal Organizations and Bureaucracies 174
Formal Organizations 175
The Characteristics of Bureaucracies 175
Down-to-Earth Sociology The McDonaldization
of Society 177
“Ideal” Versus “Real” Bureaucracy 178
Goal Displacement and the Perpetuation of
Bureaucracies 178
Dysfunctions of Bureaucracies 179
Sociology and the New Technology Social Networking
as the New Contender: A Cautious Prediction 182
Voluntary Associations 182
Functions of Voluntary Associations 183
Motivations for Joining 183
Chapter 8 Deviance and Social Control
What Is Deviance? 194
How Norms Make Social Life Possible 195
Cultural Diversity around the World Human Sexuality
in Cross-Cultural Perspective 196
Sanctions 196
Competing Explanations of Deviance: Sociobiology,
Psychology, and Sociology 197
The Symbolic Interactionist Perspective 198
Differential Association Theory 198
Control Theory 199
Labeling Theory 200
Down-to-Earth Sociology Shaming: Making a
Comeback? 201
Thinking Critically The Saints and the Roughnecks: Labeling
in Everyday Life 203
The Functionalist Perspective 204
Can Deviance Really Be Functional for Society? 204
Strain Theory: How Mainstream Values Produce Deviance 204
Down-to-Earth Sociology Running Naked with Pumpkins
on Their Heads or Naked on a Bike: Deviance or Freedom of
Self-Expression? 205
Illegitimate Opportunity Structures: Social Class and
Crime 207
170
The Inner Circle and the “Iron Law” of
Oligarchy 184
Working for the Corporation 185
Humanizing the Work Setting 185
Fads in Corporate Culture 186
Self-Fulfilling Stereotypes in the “Hidden” Corporate
Culture 186
Diversity in the Workplace 187
Thinking Critically Managing Diversity in the
Workplace 187
Scrutinizing the Workplace: The Technological
Spy 188
Global Competition in an Age of Uncertainty 188
Sociology and the New Technology Cyberloafers
and Cybersleuths: Surfing at Work 189
Cultural Diversity around the World Japanese and
U.S. Corporations: Awkward Symbiosis 190
Summary and Review 191
193
Down-to-Earth Sociology Islands in the Street: Urban
Gangs in the United States 208
The Conflict Perspective 210
Class, Crime, and the Criminal Justice System 210
The Criminal Justice System as an Instrument of
Oppression 211
Reactions to Deviance 211
Cultural Diversity around the World “Dogging” in
England 212
Street Crime and Prisons 212
Thinking Critically “Three Strikes and You’re Out!”
Unintended Consequences of Well-Intended Laws 215
The Decline in Violent Crime 215
Recidivism 216
The Death Penalty and Bias 216
Down-to-Earth Sociology The Killer Next Door: Serial
Murderers in Our Midst 218
Thinking Critically Vigilantes: When the State Breaks Down 219
The Trouble with Official Statistics 220
The Medicalization of Deviance: Mental Illness 220
The Need for a More Humane Approach 222
Summary and Review 223
 contents    ix

Part III   Social Inequality

Chapter 9 Global Stratification 225

Systems of Social Stratification 226 Global Stratification: Three Worlds 242

Slavery 227 The Most Industrialized Nations 242
Caste 229 The Industrializing Nations 245
Estate 231 Thinking Critically Open Season: Children as Prey 245
Cultural Diversity around the World Rape: Blaming the The Least Industrialized Nations 246
Victim and Protecting the Caste System 232
Modifying the Model 246
Class 233 How Did the World’s Nations Become Stratified? 246
Global Stratification and the Status of Females 233 Colonialism 247
The Global Superclass 233 World System Theory 247
What Determines Social Class? 234 Thinking Critically When Globalization Comes Home:
Karl Marx: The Means of Production 234 Maquiladoras South of the Border 250
Max Weber: Property, Power, and Prestige 235 Culture of Poverty 251
Why Is Social Stratification Universal? 236 Evaluating the Theories 251
The Functionalist View: Motivating Maintaining Global Stratification 252
Qualified People 236 Neocolonialism 252
The Conflict Perspective: Class Conflict and Scarce Multinational Corporations 252
Resources 237
Technology and Global Domination 253
Lenski’s Synthesis 238
Strains in the Global System 254
How Do Elites Maintain Stratification? 238
Summary and Review 254
Soft Control Versus Force 239
Comparative Social Stratification 240
Social Stratification in Great Britain 240
Social Stratification in the Former Soviet Union 241

Throug
h the Au
tho
r’s Lens
The Dump
P e
Living and P ople: Working and
Phnom Pen laying in the City Du
h, Cambodia mp of
I went to Phno
to see how w m Penh, the capital of C
ell a
about people the children were being mbodia, to inspect orpha
who live in th cared for. W n
my ears. I kn e hile there, I w ages,
ew that peop city dump. Live there? I as told
city dump, bu le made their could hardly
t liv be
had to see fo I didn't know they actua ing by picking scraps fro lieve
r myself. (pag lly lived amon m the
es 248–249 g the garbag
) e. This I
x    contents

Chapter 10 Social Class in the United States 256

What Is Social Class? 257 Women in Studies of Social Mobility 275

Property 258 The Pain of Social Mobility 275
Power 260 Poverty 275
Down-to-Earth Sociology How the Super-Rich Live 261 Cultural Diversity in the United States Social Class
and the Upward Social Mobility of African Americans 276
Prestige 262
Drawing the Poverty Line 276
Status Inconsistency 263
Down-to-Earth Sociology Some Facts about Poverty:
Sociological Models of Social Class 264
What Do You Know? 278
Updating Marx 264
Who Are the Poor? 279
Down-to-Earth Sociology The Big Win: Life after the
Lottery 265
Children of Poverty 280
Thinking Critically The Nation’s Shame: Children in
Updating Weber 266
Poverty 281
Consequences of Social Class 269
The Dynamics of Poverty versus the Culture of
Physical Health 269 Poverty 281
Mental Health 270 Why Are People Poor? 282
Family Life 270 Thinking Critically The Welfare Debate: The Deserving
Education 271 and the Undeserving Poor 282
Religion 272 Deferred Gratification 283
Politics 272 Down-to-Earth Sociology Poverty: A Personal
Crime and Criminal Justice 272 Journey 284
Social Mobility 272 Where Is Horatio Alger? The Social Functions of a
Myth 284
Three Types of Social Mobility 272
Summary and Review 285
Down-to-Earth Sociology Researching “The American
Dream”: Social Mobility Today 274

Chapter 11 Sex and Gender 287

Issues of Sex and Gender 288
Gender Differences in Behavior: Biology or
Culture? 289
The Dominant Position in Sociology 289
Opening the Door to Biology 289
Thinking Critically Making The Social Explicit: Emerging
Masculinities and Femininities 292
Gender Inequality in Global Perspective 294
How Did Females Become a Minority Group? 294
Mass Media in Social Life Women in Iran: The Times Are
Changing, Ever So Slowly 295
Sex Typing of Work 297
Gender and the Prestige of Work 297
Other Areas of Global Discrimination 297
Gender Inequality in the United States 300
Cultural Diversity around the World Female
Circumcision 301
Fighting Back: The Rise of Feminism 302
Gender Inequality in Everyday Life 304
Gender Inequality in Health Care 304
Gender Inequality in Education 305
Down-to-Earth Sociology Cold-Hearted Surgeons and
Their Women Victims 306
Down-to-Earth Sociology Affirmative Action for Men? 308
Gender Inequality in the Workplace 309
The Pay Gap 309
Down-to-Earth Sociology Applying Sociology: How to
Get a Higher Salary 313
Is the Glass Ceiling Cracking? 313
Sexual Harassment—and Worse 314
 contents    xi

Gender and Violence 315 Glimpsing the Future—with Hope 318

Violence against Women 315 Summary and Review 318
The Changing Face of Politics 317

Throug
h the Au
r’s Lenstho
Work and G
Women at ender:
Work in Ind
Traveling thro
ia
u
The country gh India was both a plea
is incredibly d sure and an
rich. For this e
photo essay, w iverse, the people friendly ye-opening experience.
I took photo herever I wen , and the lan
s of women a t— dc
t work. (page whether city, village, or co ulturally
s 298–299) untryside—

Chapter 12 Race and Ethnicity 320

Laying the Sociological Foundation 321 Internal Colonialism 337

Race: Myth and Reality 321 Segregation 338
Cultural Diversity in the United States Tiger Woods: Assimilation 338
Mapping the Changing Ethnic Terrain 323
Multiculturalism (Pluralism) 338
Down-to-Earth Sociology Can a Plane Ride Change Your
Racial–Ethnic Relations in the United States 339
Race? 324
European Americans 340
Ethnic Groups 324
Latinos (Hispanics) 341
Minority Groups and Dominant Groups 325
Down-to-Earth Sociology Unpacking the Invisible
Ethnic Work: Constructing Our Racial–Ethnic Identity 326
Knapsack: Exploring Cultural Privilege 341
Prejudice and Discrimination 328 Cultural Diversity in the United States The Illegal
Learning Prejudice 328 Travel Guide 343
Down-to-Earth Sociology Living in the Dorm: Contact African Americans 345
Theory 329 Asian Americans 348
Down-to-Earth Sociology The Racist Mind 330 Native Americans 350
Individual and Institutional Discrimination 331 Looking Toward the Future 352
Theories of Prejudice 332 The Immigration Debate 353
Psychological Perspectives 332 Affirmative Action 353
Sociological Perspectives 333 Cultural Diversity in the United States Glimpsing the
Global Patterns of Intergroup Relations 335 Future: The Shifting U.S. Racial–Ethnic Mix 354
Genocide 335 Toward a True Multicultural Society 355

Down-to-Earth Sociology The Man in the Zoo 336 Summary and Review 355

Population Transfer 337

xii    contents
Chapter 13 The Elderly 358
Aging in Global Perspective 359
The Social Construction of Aging 359
Industrialization and the Graying of the Globe 360
The Graying of America 360
The Symbolic Interactionist Perspective 364
When Are You “Old”? 364
Changing Perceptions of the Elderly 365
The Influence of the Mass Media 366
Cultural Diversity around the World China: Changing
Sentiment about the Elderly 367
Mass Media in Social Life The Cultural Lens: Shaping Our
Perceptions of the Elderly 368
The Functionalist Perspective 368
Disengagement Theory 368
Activity Theory 369
Continuity Theory 369
The Conflict Perspective 370
Fighting for Resources: Social Security Legislation
Thinking Critically Social Security: The Magical Money
Machine 371
Intergenerational Competition and Conflict 372
Fighting Back 373
Part IV  Social Institutions
Chapter 14 The Economy 387
The Transformation of Economic Systems 388
Preindustrial Societies: The Birth of Inequality 388
Industrial Societies: The Birth of the Machine 389
Postindustrial Societies: The Birth of the Information
Age 389
Biotech Societies: The Merger of Biology and
Economics 389
Implications for Your Life 389
Cultural Diversity around the World The Child
Workers 390
The Transformation of the Medium of Exchange 391
Earliest Mediums of Exchange 391
Medium of Exchange in Agricultural Societies 391
Medium of Exchange in Industrial Societies 391
Medium of Exchange in Postindustrial Societies 393
Down-to-Earth Sociology The New Centenarians 375
Recurring Problems 375
Gender and Living Arrangements of the Elderly 376
Nursing Homes 376
Down-to-Earth Sociology Feisty to the End: Gender
Roles among the Elderly 377
Elder Abuse 377
Down-to-Earth Sociology What Do You Think About
the Red Sock? Sex in Nursing Homes 378
The Elderly Poor 379
The Sociology of Death and Dying 380
Industrialization and the New Technology 380
Death as a Process 380
Hospices 381
Suicide and Age 381
Adjusting to Death 382
Looking toward the Future 382
370 New Views of Aging 382
The Impact of Technology 383
Thinking Critically How Long Do You Want to Live? 384
Summary and Review 385
World Economic Systems 393
Capitalism 394
Socialism 395
Ideologies of Capitalism and Socialism 396
Criticisms of Capitalism and Socialism 397
The Convergence of Capitalism and Socialism 397
Cultural Diversity around the World The New
Competitor: The Chinese Capitalists 399
The Functionalist Perspective on the Globalization of
Capitalism 399
The New Global Division of Labor 400
Capitalism in a Global Economy 400
Cultural Diversity around the World Doing
Business in the Global Village 401
Functions and Dysfunctions on a Global Scale 402
 contents    xiii

The Conflict Perspective on the Globalization of Capitalism 402 Down-to-Earth Sociology Women in Business:
Concentration of Power 406 Maneuvering the Male Culture 412

The Global Superclass 406 Stagnant Paychecks 413

Global Investing 407 Patterns of Work and Leisure 413
Work in U.S. Society 409 Global Capitalism and Our Future 415
The Transition to Postindustrial Society 409 The New Economic System and the Old Divisions
of Wealth 415
Women and Work 409
Summary and Review 417
The Underground Economy 411

Throug
h the Au
thor’s L
Small Town ens
Stuggling t USA
o Survive
All across th
en
town officials ation, small towns are st
a ru
home town. T re concerned because so ggling to survive. Parents
here is little to few young ad and
high school, m u
ost move to keep them there, and wh lts remain in their
dying, the sm the city. Wit en they grad
a h ua
South. (page ll towns are shriveling. I to young people leaving and te from
s 404–405) ok most of th old
ese photos in ones
the

Chapter 15 Politics 420

Micropolitics and Macropolitics 421 Voting Patterns 431

Power, Authority, and Violence 422 Lobbyists and Special-Interest Groups 432

Authority and Legitimate Violence 422 Cultural Diversity in the United States
The Politics of Immigrants: Power, Ethnicity, and
Traditional Authority 423
Social Class 434
Rational–Legal Authority 424 Who Rules the United States? 435
Charismatic Authority 424 The Functionalist Perspective: Pluralism 435
Authority as Ideal Type 425 The Conflict Perspective: The Power Elite 436
The Transfer of Authority 425 Down-to-Earth Sociology Who Opens the Door of
Types of Government 426 Power? 437
Monarchies: The Rise of the State 427 Which View Is Right? 437
Democracies: Citizenship as a Revolutionary Idea 427 War and Terrorism: Implementing Political Objectives 438

Dictatorships and Oligarchies: The Seizure of Is War Universal? 438

Power 428 How Common Is War? 438
The U.S. Political System 428 Why Countries Go to War 438
Political Parties and Elections 429 The War Machine and the Profits of War 439
Contrast with Democratic Systems in Europe 430 Costs of War 439
xiv    contents

Mass Media in Social Life The Propaganda and Profits of Down-to-Earth Sociology Who Are the Suicide
War 440 Terrorists? Testing Your Stereotypes 444
A Special Cost of War: Dehumanization 441 Down-to-Earth Sociology Child Soldiers 445
Down-to-Earth Sociology The Rape of Nanking: A Report Sowing the Seeds of Future Violence 446
on Dehumanization 442 A New World Order? 447
Terrorism 443 Trends toward Unity 448
Targeted Killings 443 Inevitable Changes 448
Thinking Critically Targeted Killings 443 Summary and Review 448

Chapter 16 Marriage and Family 450

Marriage and Family in Global Perspective 451 Couples without Children 469
What Is a Family? 451 Blended Families 469
What Is Marriage? 452 Down-to-Earth Sociology Family Structure: Single
Common Cultural Themes 452 Moms and Married Moms 470
Sociology and the New Technology Online Dating: Gay and Lesbian Families 471
Risks and Rewards 454 Trends in U.S. Families 472
Marriage and Family in Theoretical Perspective 455 The Changing Timetable of Family Life: Marriage and
The Functionalist Perspective: Functions and Childbirth 472
Dysfunctions 455 Cohabitation 473
The Conflict Perspective: Struggles between Husbands The “Sandwich Generation” and Elder Care 474
and Wives 456 Divorce and Remarriage 474
The Symbolic Interactionist Perspective: Gender, Ways of Measuring Divorce 474
Housework, and Child Care 456
Divorce and Intermarriage 475
The Family Life Cycle 458
Children of Divorce 475
Love and Courtship in Global Perspective 458
Down-to-Earth Sociology “What Are Your Chances of
Marriage 458 Getting Divorced?” 477
Cultural Diversity around the World East Is East and
West Is West: Love and Arranged Marriage in India 459
Grandchildren of Divorce 479
Fathers’ Contact with Children after Divorce 479
Down-to-Earth Sociology Health Benefits of Marriage:
Living Longer 461 The Ex-Spouses 479
Childbirth 462 Remarriage 479
Sociology and the New Technology What Color Eyes? Two Sides of Family Life 480
How Tall? Designer Babies on the Way 463 The Dark Side of Family Life: Battering, Child Abuse,
Child Rearing 463 Marital Rape, and Incest 480
Family Transitions 465 The Bright Side of Family Life: Successful
Diversity in U.S. Families 465 Marriages 481
African American Families 466 Symbolic Interactionism and the Misuse of
Statistics 482
Latino Families 466
The Future of Marriage and Family 482
Asian American Families 467
Sociology and the New Technology “How Should
Native American Families 468 We Handle Family Disagreements?” Use Your App 483
One-Parent Families 468 Summary and Review 484
 contents    xv

Chapter 17 Education 486

The Development of Modern Education 487
Education in Earlier Societies 487
Industrialization and Universal Education 488
Down-to-Earth Sociology Community Colleges: Facing
Old and New Challenges 490
Education in Global Perspective 491
Education in the Most Industrialized Nations: Japan 491
Education in the Industrializing Nations: Russia 492
Education in the Least Industrialized Nations: Egypt 493
The Functionalist Perspective: Providing Social Benefits 493
Teaching Knowledge and Skills 494
Cultural Transmission of Values 494
Tilting the Tests: Discrimination by IQ 498
Stacking the Deck: Unequal Funding 498
Down-to-Earth Sociology How I Became a Fairy:
Education and the Perpetuation of Social Inequality 499
The Correspondence Principle 500
The Bottom Line: Family Background 500
The Symbolic Interactionist Perspective: Teacher
Expectations 502
The Rist Research 502
The Rosenthal-Jacobson Experiment 503
How Do Teacher Expectations Work? 503
Problems in U.S. Education—and Their Solutions 504

Social Integration 494 Mediocrity 504

Gatekeeping (Social Placement) 495 Raising Standards 505
Replacing Family Functions 495 Cheating 506
Other Functions 496 Violence 507
The Conflict Perspective: Perpetuating Social Inequality 496 Mass Media in Social Life School Shootings: Exploding a
Myth 508
The Hidden Curriculum: Reproducing the Social Class
Structure 496 Technology and Education 509

Down-to-Earth Sociology Home Schooling: The Search for Thinking Critically Internet University: No Walls, No Ivy,
Quality and Values 497 No All-Night Parties 509
Summary and Review 510

Chapter 18 Religion 512

What Is Religion? 513 Religion and the Spirit of Capitalism 524

The Functionalist Perspective 514 The World’s Major Religions 525
Functions of Religion 514 Judaism 525
Down-to-Earth Sociology Religion and Health: What We Christianity 526
Know and Don’t Know 516 Islam 528
Functional Equivalents of Religion 517 Hinduism 528
Dysfunctions of Religion 518 Buddhism 529
The Symbolic Interactionist Perspective 518 Confucianism 530
Religious Symbols 518 Types of Religious Groups 530
Down-to-Earth Sociology Terrorism and the Mind of God 519 Cult 531
Rituals 520 Cultural Diversity in the United States Human Heads
Beliefs 520 and Animal Blood: Testing the Limits of Tolerance 531
Religious Experience 520 Sect 532
Community 520 Church 532
The Conflict Perspective 521 Ecclesia 533
Opium of the People 521 Variations in Patterns 533
Legitimating Social Inequalities 521 When Religion and Culture Conflict 533
xvi    contents

Religion in the United States 534 The Future of Religion 541

Characteristics of Members 534 Mass Media in Social Life God on the Net: The Online
Marketing of Religion 542
Characteristics of Religious Groups 535
Summary and Review 543
Cultural Diversity in the United States The New Face of
Religion: Pentecostals and Spanish-Speaking Immigrants 538
Secularization of Religion and Culture 539

Throug
h the Au
thor’s L
Holy Week ens
in Spain
Taking these
p
Spain—in M hotos of Holy Week bein
alaga, a capit g observed in
town in Gran al
ada—was bo city, and Almuñecar, a sm
rituals here, th enjoyable all
lik and
memories, cre e those of religious group a challenge. The
a s
(pages 522– te awe, inspire reverence everywhere, are designed
523) , and stimula
te social solid to evoke
arity.

Chapter 19 Medicine and Health 545

Sociology and the Study of Medicine and Health 546
The Symbolic Interactionist Perspective 546
The Role of Culture in Defining Health and Illness
The Components of Health 547
The Functionalist Perspective 547
The Sick Role 547
The Conflict Perspective 548
Effects of Global Stratification on Health Care 548
Down-to-Earth Sociology José’s Old Kidney: The
International Black Market in Human Body Parts 550
Establishing a Monopoly on U.S. Health Care 551
Down-to-Earth Sociology Having Babies Is Men’s Work 552
Historical Patterns of Health 553
Physical Health 553
Mental Health 553
Issues in Health Care 554
Medical Care: A Right or a Commodity? 554
Skyrocketing Costs 554
Social Inequality 555
Reducing Inequalities: Health Care Reform 555
Malpractice Lawsuits and Defensive Medicine 556
Medical Incompetence 556
547 Depersonalization: The Medical Cash Machine 557
Conflict of Interest 558
Medical Fraud 559
Sexism and Racism in Medicine 559
The Medicalization of Society 559
Medically Assisted Suicide 560
Thinking Critically Your Vote, Please: Should Doctors Be
Allowed to Kill Patients? 560
Reducing the Costs of Medical Care 561
Sociology and the New Technology Talking to
Medical Machines and Making Virtual House Calls 563
Threats to Health 564
HIV/AIDS 564
Weight: Too Much and Too Little 566
Alcohol and Nicotine 567
Disabling Environments 570
Medical Experiments: Callous and Harmful 570
Chicken Bones and the Globalization of Disease 571
 contents    xvii

Treatment or Prevention? 572 Sociology and the New Technology Who Should
Thinking Critically How Will Your Lifestyle Affect Your Live, and Who Should Die? The Dilemma of Rationing
Medical Care 575
Health? 573
Summary and Review 576
The Future of Medicine 574
Alternative Medicine 574
Technology 574

Part V   
Social Change

Chapter 20 Population and Urbanization 578

Population in Global Perspective 579 The Rural Rebound 602

A Planet with No Space for Enjoying Life? 579 Models of Urban Growth 602
The New Malthusians 580 The Concentric Zone Model 603
The Anti-Malthusians 582 The Sector Model 603
Who Is Correct? 582 The Multiple-Nuclei Model 604
Why Are People Starving? 583 The Peripheral Model 604
Down-to-Earth Sociology BioFoods: What’s in Your Critique of the Models 604
Future? 584 City Life 604
Population Growth 586 Alienation in the City 604
Why the Least Industrialized Nations Have So Many Cultural Diversity around the World Why City
Children 586 Slums Are Better Than the Country: Urbanization in the
Consequences of Rapid Population Growth 587 Least Industrialized Nations 605

Population Pyramids as a Tool for Understanding 588 Community in the City 606
The Three Demographic Variables 589 Who Lives in the City? 606
Problems in Forecasting Population Growth 591 The Norm of Noninvolvement and the Diffusion of
Responsibility 607
Cultural Diversity around the World Killing Little
Girls: An Ancient and Thriving Practice 593 Urban Problems and Social Policy 608
Urbanization 594 Suburbanization 608
The Development of Cities 595 Disinvestment and Deindustrialization 609
The Process of Urbanization 595 The Potential of Urban Revitalization 610
U.S. Urban Patterns 598 Summary and Review 611
Down-to-Earth Sociology Reclaiming Harlem: A Twist
in the Invasion–Succession Cycle 601

Throug
h the Au
tho
r’s Lens
A Walk Thro
Medellin, C ugh El Tiro in
olombia
One of the m
o
is the global st significant changes in
rush of poor, our time
Industrialize ru
d Nations. S ral people to the cities o
I was fortun o f
ate to be esc me of these settlements the Least
of Medellin, o rt a re
Colombia. (p ed by an insider through dangerous.
ages 596–59 this section
7)
xviii    contents

Chapter 21 Collective Behavior and Social Movements 613

Collective Behavior 614 Types and Tactics of Social Movements 627

Early Explanations: The Transformation of People 614 Types of Social Movements 627
How Crowds Change People 615 Tactics of Social Movements 628
The Acting Crowd 615 Multiple Realities and Social Movements 629
The Contemporary View: The Rationality of the Propaganda and the Mass Media 629
Crowd 616 Down-to-Earth Sociology “Tricks of the Trade”—
The Minimax Strategy 617 Deception and Persuasion in Propaganda 630
Emergent Norms 617 Why People Join Social Movements 631
How Sociologists Study Collective Behavior 617 Relative Deprivation Theory: Improving Status and
Forms of Collective Behavior 618 Power 631
Riots 618 Declining Privilege Theory: Protecting Status and
Power 632
Rumors 619
Moral Issues and Ideological Commitment 632
Down-to-Earth Sociology Rumors and Riots: An
Eyewitness Account of the Tulsa Riot 620 A Special Case: The Agent Provocateur 632
Panics 620 On the Success and Failure of Social Movements 633
Mass Hysteria 622 The Rocky Road to Success 633
Moral Panics 622 The Stages of Social Movements 633
Down-to-Earth Sociology Dancing, Sex, and Monkey Resurgence 635
Men 623 Thinking Critically Which Side of the Barricades?
Fads and Fashions 624 Prochoice and Prolife as a Social Movement 635

Urban Legends 625 Summary and Review 636

Social Movements 626

Chapter 22 Social Change and the Environment 638

How Social Change Transforms Social Life 639 Sociology and the New Technology The Coming
The Four Social Revolutions 639 Star Wars 654

From Gemeinschaft to Gesellschaft 640 The Growth Machine versus the Earth 655
The Industrial Revolution and Capitalism 640 Environmental Problems and Industrialization 656

Social Movements 641 Thinking Critically The Island Nations: “Come See Us
While We Are Still Here” 658
Conflict, Power, and Global Politics 641
The Environmental Movement 659
Theories and Processes of Social Change 644
Cultural Diversity around the World The Rain
Evolution from Lower to Higher 644 Forests: Lost Tribes, Lost Knowledge 660
Natural Cycles 644 Thinking Critically Eco-sabotage 661
Conflict over Power and Resources 645 Environmental Sociology 662
Ogburn’s Theory 645 Technology and the Environment: The Goal of
How Technology Is Changing Our Lives 647 Harmony 663
Extending Human Abilities 647 Summary and Review 664
The Sociological Significance of Technology 648 Epilogue: Why Major in Sociology? 666
When Old Technology Was New: The Impact of the Glossary G-1
Automobile 649 References R-1
The New Technology: The Microchip and Social Life 651 Name Index N-1
Thinking Critically Cyberwar and Cyber Defense 652 Subject Index S-1
Cyberspace and Social Inequality 653 Credits CR-1

Down-to-Earth Sociology
An Updated Version of the Old Elephant Story 6
Enjoying a Sociology Quiz—Testing Your Common
Sense 7
Harriet Martineau and U.S. Customs: Listening to an
Early Feminist 17
W. E. B. Du Bois: The Souls of Black Folk 19
Careers in Sociology: What Applied Sociologists Do 21
Heredity or Environment? The Case of Jack and Oskar,
Identical Twins 63
Gossip and Ridicule to Enforce Adolescent Norms 83
Boot Camp as a Total Institution 85
College Football as Social Structure 97
Beauty May Be Only Skin Deep, But Its Effects Go on
Forever: Stereotypes in Everyday Life 109
Loading the Dice: How Not to Do Research 131
Gang Leader for a Day: Adventures of a Rogue
Sociologist 134
The McDonaldization of Society 177
Shaming: Making a Comeback? 201
Running Naked with Pumpkins on Their Heads or
Naked on a Bike: Deviance or Freedom of
Self-Expression? 205
Islands in the Street: Urban Gangs in the United States 208
The Killer Next Door: Serial Murderers in Our Midst 218
How the Super-Rich Live 261
The Big Win: Life after the Lottery 265
Researching “The American Dream”: Social Mobility
Today 274
Some Facts about Poverty: What Do You Know? 278
Poverty: A Personal Journey 284
Cold-Hearted Surgeons and Their Women Victims 306
Affirmative Action for Men? 308
Applying Sociology: How to Get a Higher Salary 313
Can a Plane Ride Change Your Race? 324
Living in the Dorm: Contact Theory 329
The Racist Mind 330
The Man in the Zoo 336
Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack: Exploring Cultural
Privilege 341
The New Centenarians 375
Feisty to the End: Gender Roles among the Elderly 377
What Do You Think About the Red Sock? Sex in Nursing
Homes 378
Women in Business: Maneuvering the Male Culture 412
Who Opens the Door of Power? 437
The Rape of Nanking: A Report on Dehumanization 442
Who Are the Suicide Terrorists? Testing Your
Stereotypes 444
Child Soldiers 445
Special Features
Health Benefits of Marriage: Living Longer 461
Family Structure: Single Moms and Married Moms 470
“What Are Your Chances of Getting Divorced?” 477
Community Colleges: Facing Old and New
Challenges 490
Home Schooling: The Search for Quality and Values 497
How I Became a Fairy: Education and the Perpetuation
of Social Inequality 499
Religion and Health: What We Know and Don’t Know 516
Terrorism and the Mind of God 519
José’s Old Kidney: The International Black Market in
Human Body Parts 550
Having Babies Is Men’s Work 552
BioFoods: What’s in Your Future? 584
Reclaiming Harlem: A Twist in the Invasion–Succession
Cycle 601
Rumors and Riots: An Eyewitness Account of the Tulsa
Riot 620
Dancing, Sex, and Monkey Men 623
“Tricks of the Trade”—Deception and Persuasion in
Propaganda 630
Cultural Diversity in the United States
Unanticipated Public Sociology: Studying Job
Discrimination 22
Culture Shock: The Arrival of the Hmong 36
Miami—Continuing Controversy over Language 44
Race and Language: Searching for Self-Labels 46
Immigrants and Their Children: Caught between Two
Worlds 82
The Amish: Gemeinschaft Community in a Gesellschaft
Society 105
Do Your Social Networks Perpetuate Social Inequality? 159
Social Class and the Upward Social Mobility of African
Americans 276
Tiger Woods: Mapping the Changing Ethnic Terrain 323
The Illegal Travel Guide 343
Glimpsing the Future: The Shifting U.S. Racial–Ethnic
Mix 354
The Politics of Immigrants: Power, Ethnicity, and Social
Class 434
Human Heads and Animal Blood: Testing the Limits of
Tolerance 531
The New Face of Religion: Pentecostals and Spanish-
Speaking Immigrants 538
xix
xx    Special Features
Cultural Diversity around the World
Dancing with the Dead 38
You Are What You Eat? An Exploration in Cultural
Relativity 39
When Women Become Men: The Sworn Virgins 76
Japanese and U.S. Corporations: Awkward
Symbiosis 190
Human Sexuality in Cross-Cultural Perspective 196
“Dogging” in England 212
Rape: Blaming the Victim and Protecting the Caste
System 232
Female Circumcision 301
China: Changing Sentiment about the Elderly 367
The Child Workers 390
The New Competitor: The Chinese Capitalists 399
Doing Business in the Global Village 401
East Is East and West Is West: Love and Arranged
Marriage in India 459
Killing Little Girls: An Ancient and Thriving
Practice 593
Why City Slums Are Better Than the Country:
Urbanization in the Least Industrialized
Nations 605
The Rain Forests: Lost Tribes, Lost Knowledge 660
Mass Media in Social Life
Lara Croft, Tomb Raider: Changing Images of Women in
the Mass Media 78
“Nothing Tastes as Good as Thin Feels”: Body Images
and the Mass Media 114
Women in Iran: The Times Are Changing, Ever So
Slowly 295
The Cultural Lens: Shaping Our Perceptions of the
Elderly 368
The Propaganda and Profits of War 440
School Shootings: Exploding a Myth 508
God on the Net: The Online Marketing of Religion 542
Thinking Critically
Are We Prisoners of Our Genes? Sociobiology and Human
Behavior 55
Doing Controversial Research—Counting the Homeless 138
Are Rapists Sick? A Close-Up View of Research 141
If Hitler Asked You to Execute a Stranger, Would You?
The Milgram Experiment 165
Managing Diversity in the Workplace 187
The Saints and the Roughnecks: Labeling in Everyday
Life 203
“Three Strikes and You’re Out!” Unintended Consequences of
Well-Intended Laws 215
Vigilantes: When the State Breaks Down 219
Open Season: Children as Prey 245
When Globalization Comes Home: Maquiladoras South of the
Border 250
The Nation’s Shame: Children in Poverty 281
The Welfare Debate: The Deserving and the Undeserving
Poor 282
Making The Social Explicit: Emerging Masculinities and
Femininities 292
Social Security: The Magical Money Machine 371
How Long Do You Want to Live? 384
Targeted Killings 443
Internet University: No Walls, No Ivy, No All-Night Parties 509
Your Vote, Please: Should Doctors Be Allowed to Kill
Patients? 560
How Will Your Lifestyle Affect Your Health? 573
Which Side of the Barricades? Prochoice and Prolife as a
Social Movement 635
Cyberwar and Cyber Defense 652
The Island Nations: “Come See Us While We Are Still
Here” 658
Eco-sabotage 661
Sociology and the New Technology
Avatar Fantasy Life: The Blurring Lines of Reality 151
“So, You Want to Be Yourself?” Cloning and the Future
of Society 152
Social Networking as the New Contender: A Cautious
Prediction 182
Cyberloafers and Cybersleuths: Surfing at Work 189
Online Dating: Risks and Rewards 454
What Color Eyes? How Tall? Designer Babies on the
Way 463
“How Should We Handle Family Disagreements?” Use
Your App 483
Talking to Medical Machines and Making Virtual House
Calls 483
Who Should Live, and Who Should Die? The Dilemma
of Rationing Medical Care 575
The Coming Star Wars 654
 Special Features    xxi

Guide to Social Maps

Figure 8.1 How Safe Is Your State? Violent Crime in the United States 209
Figure 8.4 Executions in the United States 217
Figure 9.3 Global Stratification: Income of the World’s Nations 243
Figure 10.8 Patterns of Poverty 279
Figure 11.6 Women in the Workforce 311
Figure 12.6 The Distribution of Dominant and Minority Groups 340
Figure 13.1 The Graying of the Globe 361
Figure 13.6 As Florida Goes, So Goes the Nation 364
Figure 14.3 The Globalization of Capitalism: U.S. Ownership in Other
Countries 407
Figure 14.4 The Globalization of Capitalism: U.S. Workers Who Work for
Foreign-Owned Businesses 408
Figure 15.1 Which Political Party Dominates? 429
Figure 16.14 The “Where” of U.S. Divorce 476
Figure 17.2 Not Making It: Dropping Out of High School 491
Figure 17.3 The Unequal Funding of Education 500
Figure 18.2 U.S. Church Membership: Dominant Religion, by County 527
FIGURE 20.12 The World’s Megacities 599
Figure 20.13 How Urban Is Your State? The Rural–Urban Makeup of the
United States 599
Figure 22.2 The Worst Hazardous Waste Sites 656
 To the Student … from the Author
W
ELCOME TO SOCIOLOGY! I’ve loved sociology since I was in my teens,
and I hope you enjoy it, too. Sociology is fascinating because it is about
human behavior, and many of us find that it holds the key to understanding
social life.
If you like to watch people and try to figure out why they do what they do, you will
like sociology. Sociology pries open the doors of society so you can see what goes on
behind them. Sociology: A Down-to-Earth Approach stresses how profoundly our society
and the groups to which we belong influence us. Social class, for example, sets us on
a particular path in life. For some, the path leads to more education, more interesting
jobs, higher income, and better health, but for others, it leads to dropping out of
school, dead-end jobs, poverty, and even a higher risk of illness and disease. These paths
are so significant that they affect our chances of making it to our first birthday, as well as
of getting in trouble with the police. They even influence our satisfaction in marriage,
the number of children we will have—and whether or not we will read this book in the
first place.
When I took my first course in sociology, I was “hooked.” Seeing how marvelously
my life had been affected by these larger social influences opened my eyes to a
new world, one that has been fascinating to explore. I hope that you will have this
experience, too.
From how people become homeless to how they become presidents, from why
people commit suicide to why women are discriminated against in every society around
the world—all are part of sociology. This breadth, in fact, is what makes sociology so
intriguing. We can place the sociological lens on broad features of society, such as social
class, gender, and race–ethnicity, and then immediately turn our focus on the smaller,
more intimate level. If we look at two people interacting—whether quarreling or
kissing—we see how these broad features of society are playing out in their lives.
We aren’t born with instincts. Nor do we come into this world with preconceived
notions of what life should be like. At birth, we have no concepts of race–ethnicity,
gender, age, or social class. We have no idea, for example, that people “ought” to act
in certain ways because they are male or female. Yet we all learn such things as we grow
up in our society. Uncovering the “hows” and the “whys” of this process is also part of
what makes sociology so fascinating.
One of sociology’s many pleasures is that as we study life in groups (which can be
taken as a definition of sociology), whether those groups are in some far-off part of the
world or in some nearby corner of our own society, we gain new insights into who we
are and how we got that way. As we see how their customs affect them, the effects of our
own society on us become more visible.
This book, then, can be part of an intellectual adventure: It can lead you to a new
way of looking at your social world—and in the process, help you to better understand
both society and yourself.
I wish you the very best in college—and in your career afterward. It is my sincere
desire that Sociology: A Down-to-Earth Approach will contribute to that success.

James M. Henslin
Department of Sociology
Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville

P.S. I enjoy communicating with students, so feel free to comment on your experiences
with this text. You can write me at henslin@aol.com

xxii
To the Instructor … from the Author
R
EMEMBER WHEN YOU FIRST GOT “HOOKED” on sociology,
how the windows of perception opened as you began to see life-in-society
2

Ch ap ter
through the sociological perspective? For most of us, this was an eye-opening Culture
experience. This text is designed to open those windows onto social life, so students
Listen to Chap
ter 2 on MySo
cLab

can see clearly the vital effects of group membership on their lives. Although few
students will get into what Peter Berger calls “the passion of sociology,” we at least
can provide them the opportunity.
To study sociology is to embark on a fascinating process of discovery. We can
compare sociology to a huge jigsaw puzzle. Only gradually do we see how the pieces
fit together. As we begin to see the interconnections, our perspective changes as
we shift our eyes from the many small, disjointed pieces to the whole that is being
formed. Of all the endeavors we could have entered, we chose sociology because
of the ways in which it joins the “pieces” of society together and the challenges it
poses to “ordinary” thinking. It is our privilege to share with students this process of
awareness and discovery called the sociological perspective.
As instructors of sociology, we have set ambitious goals for ourselves: to teach both
? 37
Culture
What Is
a
judging
sm not
l relativi to understand
it
cultura

social structure and social interaction and to introduce students to the sociological
ination trying
to discrim
but
M02_HENS164
culture terms
can lead
8_12_SE_C02.
on its own
indd 33
nocentrism pter,
e side, eth gists. In
this cha
negativ do.
s. On the s. e sociolo tever we
p loyaltie s differ from our our lives fascinat we are and wha tions of

literature—both the classic theorists and contemporary research. As we accomplish

in-grou cts ing assump
creates whose waych culture affe uences everyth your own d perspe
c-
inst people s in whi ure infl ana lyze a cha nge
aga y way y cult star t to elop ocLab 8/22/13 6:11
The man how profoundl which you can might dev on in PM
e. on MyS
Explore n Populati of
mine point: You er look the sam ment : The Asia
a basis from ning at this
rsity
we’ll exa will nev for a mo Activity States: A Dive
serve as a war so, life s pause ed

this, we would also like to enliven the classroom, encourage critical thinking, and
the Unit
This will give you in it. If on, let’ ered.
I should and your role discussi have cov Cultures
reality. ial life idea s under es we et
soc k of the cipl stre
tive on the prin on the
avo id losing trac ances, clarify wea r gowns
: To e inst . Ara bs s.
In Sum ize and
, in som l culture same with jean itrary to stand
materia

stimulate our students’ sociological imagination. Although formidable, these goals

to summar l” about ans do
the just as arb
g “natura do so. Americ ure. It is
is nothin l to erial cult lens
1. There that it is natura l” about nonmat r-granted
and feel g “natura a taken-fo ity.
oming how we
is nothin and shove. king, bec of real
2. There push our thin our perception ht to do and

are attainable. This book is designed to help you reach them. Based on many years
as to ply into ain oug .
in line tes dee ld and obt what we n making
penetra the wor tions that tell us for our decisio t we internalize
3. Culture which we see ruc is tha it was
through licit inst ental bas culture ply that
pro vides imp blishes a fundam ive”; that is, the le, believed dee
4. Culture think. It esta imperat (I, for exa
mp tions
ought to “moral c assump
vides a things.

of frontline (classroom) experience, its subtitle, A Down-to-Earth Approach, was not

also pro of doing of others.
) our basi d
5. Culture the “right” way to get ahead challenges deeply ingraine
t culture my
becomes push and shove radically differen I discovered that ger applied.) r,
wrong
to
tact with a ck whe n
spac e no lon
ple to anothe
con sho l peo
ing into erienced
culture of persona one group of cannot
6. Com exp the use a society

proposed lightly. My goal is to share the fascination of sociology with students and in
(I and from for ges
about life. s about hygiene culture differ e,
e cultur with the challen fighting
ural idea lars of
all peo ple hav ling eive bull
cult par ticu t is, s of dea ricans perc
gh the sal. Tha ned way uences. Many Ameactivity that shou t
ld
7. Althou itself is univer g shared, lear ativ e conseq as a crue
l
ere. To
mos
culture elopin e and neg some al everywh ting is a spor
t that
hout dev h positiv be illeg
sider how und s, bullfigh

doing so to make your teaching more rewarding.

exist wit ch has bot bull in a
unifying
ric, whi avior, con ty aro Spaniard
ador and glory.
of life. are ethnocent idea s and beh Cultural Diversi pits mat er, cour
age, and we
that
shapes our ut this in the
ple of pow
requires
8. All peo culture
image
relativism tives in
of how You can read abo Cultural perspec
tives of
example d. suspend
our own
perspec
For an h the dea grasp the easier describe
d

Over the years, I have found the introductory course especially enjoyable. It is
dance wit e. r to
people next pag orde
somethi
ng
on the ge others,
Wo rld box ch we jud atta ined .
the d by whi
ivism
than
standar
ral Relat culture as the we can try
ac tic ing Cultucy to use our ownrelativism; that is,king at how

singularly satisfying to see students’ faces light up as they begin to see how separate
Pr den tural ns loo s
r our ten ctice cul This mea g those element
To counteures, we can pra its own terms. t judgin
other cult and a culture
on er, withou
fit togeth life. practic-
to underst s of a culture way of hin us, sy
ent our own so deeply wit Malaga
the elem or superior to that the

pieces of their world fit together. It is a pleasure to watch them gain insight into how
ed to
embedd do. It is likely wrong
as inferior own culture icul t to h stra nge and cro wds
With our diff bot ul
tivism is d seemed t of joyf
ural rela the dea ls to death in fron ings that it is
ing cult dancing with feel
of bing bul e strong however, we will
custom with stab ens hav c-

their social experiences give shape to even their innermost desires. This is precisely
is similar Most U.S. citiz ural relativism, the perspe ,
you. It ctice cult g from
ut “Olé!” lfightin be their history
that sho do this. If we pra dead and bul
e. It will that we
wrong
to
cing with the y take plac s, and mortality
h dan ch the
view bot cultures in whi braver y, sex role bull-
the of

what this text is designed to do: to stimulate your students’ sociological imagination
of idea s r. and
tive
lore, thei
r
ir behavio strange is
dead as , which
their folk understand the cing with the r culture d or
will use
to ard dan par ticularly if you h the dea to
still reg cing wit how
You may of course, no history of dan ideas about
as wrong, has cific ideas
fighting rained in you, urally spe urally specific

so they can better perceive how the “pieces” of society fit together—and what this
sess cult sess cult
deeply ing g. We all pos also pos
lfig htin dea d. We
of bul ect to the
show resp 8/22/13
6:11 PM

means for their own lives.

Filled with examples from around the world as well as from our own society, this M02_HENS
1648_12_
SE_C02.ind
d 37

text helps to make today’s multicultural, global society come alive for students. From
learning how the international elite carve up global markets to studying the intimacy
of friendship and marriage, students can see how sociology is the key to explaining
contemporary life—and their own place in it.
In short, this text is designed to make your teaching easier. There simply is
no justification for students to have to wade through cumbersome approaches
to sociology. I am firmly convinced that the introduction to sociology should be
enjoyable and that the introductory textbook can be an essential tool in sharing the
discovery of sociology with students.

The Organization of This Text
The text is laid out in five parts. Part I focuses on the socio-
logical perspective, which is introduced in the first chapter.
We then look at how culture influences us (Chapter 2),
­examine socialization (Chapter 3), and compare macro-
sociology and microsociology (Chapter 4). After this, we
look at how sociologists do research (Chapter 5). Placing
research methods in the fifth chapter does not follow the
­usual ­sequence, but doing so allows students to first be-
come immersed in the captivating findings of sociology—
then, after their interest is awakened, they learn how so-
ciologists gather their data. Students respond very well to
this approach, but if you prefer the more traditional order,
simply teach this chapter as the second chapter. No content
will be affected.

xxiii
xxiv     To the Instructor from the Author

Part II, which focuses on groups and social control, globalization, which is incorporated throughout the text,
adds to the students’ understanding of how far- I have written a series of boxes. These boxed features are one
reaching society’s influence is—how group membership of my favorite components of the book. They are especially
penetrates even our thinking, attitudes, and orientations useful for introducing the controversial topics that make
to life. We first examine the different types of groups sociology such a lively activity.
that have such profound influences on us and then look Let’s look at these six themes.
at the fascinating area of group dynamics (Chapter 6).
We then examine the impact of bureaucracy and formal Down-to-Earth Sociology
organizations (Chapter 7). After this, we focus on how
As many years of teaching have shown me, textbooks are
groups “keep us in line” and sanction those who violate
all too often written to appeal to the adopters of texts
their norms (Chapter 8).
rather than to the students who will learn from them. In
In Part III, we turn our focus on social inequality,
writing this book, my central concern has been to present
examining how it pervades society and how it has an
sociology in a way that not only facilitates understanding
impact on our own lives. Because social stratification is
but also shares its excitement. During the course of writing
so significant, I have written two chapters on this topic.
other texts, I often have been told that my explanations
The first (Chapter 9), with its global focus, presents an
and writing style are “down-to-earth,” or accessible and
overview of the principles of stratification. The second
inviting to students—so much so that I chose this phrase
(Chapter 10), with its emphasis on social class, focuses on
as the book’s subtitle. The term is also featured in my
stratification in the United States. After establishing this
introductory reader, Down-to-Earth Sociology: Introductory
broader context of social stratification, we examine gender,
Readings, now in its 15th edition (New York: Free Press,
the most global of the inequalities (Chapter 11). Then we
2014).
focus on inequalities of race–ethnicity (Chapter 12) and
This first theme is highlighted by a series of boxed
those of age (Chapter 13).
features that explore sociological processes that underlie
Part IV helps students become more aware of how
everyday life. The topics that we review in these Down-to-
social institutions encompass their lives. We first look
Earth Sociology boxes are highly diverse. Here are some of
at the economy, the social institution that has become
them.
dominant in U.S. society (Chapter 14) and then at
politics, our second overarching social institution
• the experiences of W. E. B. Du Bois in studying U.S.
(Chapter 15). We then place the focus on marriage and
race relations (Chapter 1)
family (Chapter 16) and education (Chapter 17). After
• what applied sociologists do (Chapter 1)
this, we look at the significance of religion (Chapter
• how gossip and ridicule enforce adolescent norms
18) and, finally, that of medicine (Chapter 19). One of
(Chapter 3)
the emphases in this part of the book is how our social
• how football can help us understand social structure
institutions are changing and how their changes, in
(Chapter 4)
turn, have an impact on our own lives.
• beauty and success (Chapter 4)
With its focus on broad social change, Part V
• fraudulent social research (Chapter 5)
provides an appropriate conclusion for the book. Here
• the McDonaldization of society (Chapter 7)
we examine why our world is changing so rapidly, as
• serial killers (Chapter 8)
well as catch a glimpse of what is yet to come. We first
• the lifestyles of the super-rich (Chapter 10)
analyze trends in population and urbanization, those
• the American dream and actual social mobility
sweeping forces that affect our lives so significantly
(Chapter 10)
but that ordinarily remain below our level of awareness
• how to get a higher salary by applying sociology
(Chapter 20). Our focus on collective behavior and
(Chapter 11)
social movements (Chapter 21) and social change and
• living in the dorm: contact theory (Chapter 12)
the environment (Chapter 22) takes us to the “cutting
• sex in nursing homes (Chapter 13)
edge” of the vital changes that engulf us all.
• women navigating male-dominated corporations
(Chapter 14)
• the life of child soldiers (Chapter 15)
• the health benefits of marriage (Chapter 16)
Themes and Features • home schooling (Chapter 17)
• terrorism in the name of God (Chapter 18)
Six central themes run throughout this text: down-to- • the international black market in human body parts
earth sociology, globalization, cultural diversity, critical (Chapter 19)
thinking, the new technology, and the influence of the • biofoods (Chapter 20)
mass media on our lives. For each of these themes, except • mass hysteria (Chapter 21)
Another random document with
no related content on Scribd:
have been previously done, the shorter length is no disadvantage.
For fine work the cap-iron of this plane may be set as close as one
thirty-second of an inch to the cutting edge of the plane-iron. The
plane-iron should be set correspondingly shallow.

Fig. 51.

23. The Jointer.—This plane is used for straightening long and

uneven stock. It is most commonly used for
preparing the parts for glue joints. Fig. 52.
 Fig. 52.

Its advantage lies in its length, often two feet or more, which
prevents the blade from cutting in the hollow places until all of the
high places have been leveled. A short plane would simply follow the
irregularities, smoothing but not straightening. The plane-iron of the
jointer should be ground straight across.
Fore-planes are short jointers, next in size to the jack-planes, and
are used for such work as straightening the edges of doors,
windows, etc., when fitting them.
24. The Block-Plane.—The block-plane is about six inches long.
Fig. 53. It is made especially for cutting
across the end of the wood. In addition to the adjusting nut, which is
in a different position but serves the same purpose as in the jack-
plane, and the lateral adjusting lever, there is a lever for adjusting the
size of the opening at the mouth of this plane.
 Fig. 53.

The block-plane differs from the planes just described in that it has
no cap-iron, none being needed in end-planing. The plane iron is put
in place with the bevel side up instead of down as in the other
planes.
The block-plane is not a necessity where a vise can be used for
holding the piece to be planed. A smooth-plane or jack-plane may, if
the plane-iron be set very shallow, do the work just as well. The
block-plane is used mostly by carpenters in fitting together pieces
which cannot be taken to the vise. Here the smallness of the plane
and the fact that but one hand is needed to operate it are of very
great advantage.
25. The Wooden Plane.—The old-fashioned wooden planes are
still preferred by some woodworkers. The
iron bodied planes have displaced them because of the ease with
which they can be adjusted rather than because they produce any
better results. Wooden planes are subject to warpage and as the
bottoms become uneven thru wear, it is necessary to straighten and
level them occasionally. The plane-iron and cap-iron of the wooden
plane are fastened in the throat of the plane by means of a wooden
wedge. This wedge is driven in place with the hammer. Fig. 54
shows the manner of holding the plane while setting the irons and
wedge. If the plane-iron does not project enough, the iron is lightly
tapped as indicated. If too much projects, the stock is tapped as in
Fig. 55. This figure also illustrates the manner of removing the
wedge, two or three blows being sufficient to release it so that it can
be withdrawn with the hand. In setting the plane-iron, should either
corner project more than the other, tap the side of the iron.

Fig. 54. Fig. 55.

 Fig. 56.

Fig. 56 shows the manner of holding the smooth plane in releasing

the wedge, as well as when the cutting edge projects too much.
26. Planing First Surface True.—A true surface is one which is
straight as to its length and width
and which has its surface at the four corners in the same plane.
Select for this first surface, which we shall call the face side, the
better of the two broad surfaces. Knots, sap, wind, shakes, etc.,
should there be any, must be taken into account when passing
judgment. Often the two sides are so nearly alike that there is little
reason for choice.
Where several parts are to be fitted together, the faces are turned
in; in this case, the best surfaces should not be selected for faces.
Chapter VII, section 75.
 Fig. 57. Fig. 58.

Before beginning to plane hold the piece toward the light, close
one eye and sight as in Fig. 57. If the surface is not warped or in
wind, the back arris ab will appear directly behind the front arris cd.
Also sight the arrises for straightness, Fig. 58, being careful to hold
so as to get the full benefit of the light. Again, test from arris to arris,
Fig. 59. The try-square may be used either side up, but the beam
must not be held against either edge. It is not for squareness but for
straightness that this test is made.

Fig. 59.

Notice the direction of the grain and place the piece so as not to
plane against it. In Fig. 60 plane from A toward B or the surface will
be roughened instead of smoothed. When the stock is rough, the
direction of the grain cannot be told readily. A few strokes of the
plane will give the desired information. As most stock is to be planed
to size, it is well to test with the rule before beginning to plane, so as
to know just how much margin has been allowed. If you find you
cannot true this first surface without getting the piece within one-
sixteenth of an inch of the thickness required, ask your instructor to
show you where the trouble lies.

Fig. 60.

These tests ought to give the worker a pretty fair idea of what and
how much he dare plane, so that when he begins he may work
intelligently. As few shavings as possible, and those thin ones, with
the proper result attained, show forethought and care. Nowhere can
good, common sense be used to better advantage than in learning to
plane.
When planes are not in use they should be laid on their sides, or
otherwise placed so that the cutting edge shall not touch anything.
For roughing off and straightening broad surfaces, the jack-plane
should be used, and this followed by the smooth-plane.
When using the plane, stand with the right side to the bench; avoid
a stooping position. Fig. 61. The plane should rest flat upon the
wood from start to finish. Press heavily upon the knob in starting and
upon the handle in finishing the stroke. Unless care is taken to hold
the plane level in starting and stopping, the result will be as indicated
in Fig. 62 A.
 Fig. 61. Fig. 62.

Take as long a shaving as the nature of the work will permit. In

planing long boards or where it is desired to lower one particular
place only, it becomes necessary to stop the stroke before the end of
the board is reached. That no mark shall show at the place where
the plane-iron is lifted, it is necessary to feather the shaving. This is
done by holding the toe of the plane upon the board and raising the
heel as the stroke proceeds, beginning just before the stopping point
is reached. If the cut is to commence other than at the end of the
piece, lower the heel after having started the forward stroke with the
toe upon the board.
It is customary to raise the heel of the plane slightly on the
backward stroke that the edge may not be dulled.
When the surface has been planed so that it fulfills the tests by
sighting described above, an additional test may be given it. Should
the board be of any considerable width—three or more inches—the
following test will prove sufficient: Place a straight-edge lengthwise,
then crosswise the surface planed and along each of its two
diagonals. If no light can be seen between the piece and the straight-
edge in any of these four tests, the surface may be considered level
or true. Fig. 63.

Fig. 63.

Fig. 64.
 A second test, one which will answer for narrow as well as broad
surfaces, differs from the above only in the manner of determining
whether the surface is in wind or not. Two sticks, called winding
sticks, are prepared by planing their two opposite edges straight and
parallel to each other. These sticks are placed across the surface to
be tested, close to the ends, and a sight taken over their top edges.
If the surface is in wind the edges cannot be made to sight so that
one edge will appear directly back of the other, Fig. 64; one end of
the back stick will appear high, at the same time the other one will
appear low with reference to the edge of the fore stick. The back
corner is high only as compared with the fore corner. The wind may
be taken out of the surface just as well by planing the fore corner
which is diagonally opposite. Usually, equal amounts should be
planed from the surface at each of these corners. If, however, the
board is thicker at one corner than the other, it is best to take the
whole amount at the thicker corner.
27. Face Side, Face Edge.—The first surface and the first edge
planed serve a special purpose and
are given special names. The first surface is called the face side,
and the first edge, the face edge; both may be referred to as the
faces. These faces are sometimes known by other names such as
working face and joint edge, marked face and marked edge, etc., but
their meaning is the same.
 Fig. 65.

That these faces may be known, they are marked with pencil with
what are called face marks. There are various ways of making face
marks. Unless otherwise instructed, the marks may be made as in
Fig. 65; for the face side, a light slanting line about one inch long
extending to the edge which is to become the face edge; for the face
edge, two light lines across the edge. The marks on both face side
and face edge should be placed about the middle of the piece and
close together.
These two surfaces are the only ones marked. From one or the
other of these, measurements and tests are made. In squaring up
stock, for illustration (which means to reduce a piece of rough lumber
to definite length, width and thickness so that it shall have smooth,
flat sides at right angles to each other) the gage block is held against
one or the other of these faces only, and the beam of the try-square
when testing for squareness is placed against one or the other of
these faces only.
28. Planing First Edge Square with Face Side.—Make a
preliminary test
with the eye before beginning to plane. Sight the arrises of the edge
to see where it needs straightening. Examine the end to see which
arris is high. Also look to see which way the grain runs. Avoid
imperfections in the wood as far as possible in choosing this edge.
 It is the part of wisdom to examine the plane-iron to see that the
surface planing has not caused the cutting edge to project unevenly.
A plane, set out of true, is likely to cause hours of extra work; it
defeats every effort that may be made to hold the plane properly.
Strive to get shavings the full length of the piece, especially on the
last few strokes.
The smooth-plane is little if ever used for edge planing on account
of its short length. In using the jack-plane in which the edge is
slightly rounded, thus making a shaving thicker in the middle than at
the edges, avoid tilting the plane to make it cut on one side rather
than the other. Move the whole plane over to the high side so that
the middle of the cutting edge shall be directly over the high place.
Keep the sides of the plane parallel with the edge so as to get the full
benefit of the length of the plane.
The two tests which this first edge must fulfill are: First, that it shall
be straight; second, that it shall be square with the face side. Fig. 6,
Chapter I, shows the method of testing for squareness. As in planing
the face side, try to accomplish the desired result with as few
shavings as possible.
The caution about planing the first surface, where a definite size is
to be attained, applies equally to planing the first edge.
When the edge has been properly trued, put on the face marks
suitable for the face edge.
29. Finishing the Second Edge.—A line gaged from the face
edge indicates the proper
stopping place in planing the second edge. This line, if lightly made,
should be half planed off.
As the line is parallel with the face edge, no straight edge test is
necessary. The try-square test for squareness, the beam being held
against the face side, must be frequently applied when approaching
the gage line.
Where the amount of waste stock to be planed is about an eighth
of an inch, the plane-iron may be set a little deeper than average.
When near the line, however, it must be set quite shallow. If the
waste stock measures more than three sixteenths of an inch, the rip-
saw should be used, sawing parallel to the gage line and about one-
eighth of an inch away from it.
 30. Finishing the Second Side.—Lines gaged from the face side
on the two edges show the
amount to be planed.
The test for this side is made by placing the straight-edge across
the piece from arris to arris as the planing proceeds, to see that the
middle shall be neither high nor low when the gage lines have been
reached. No other test is necessary; a little thought will show the
reason.
Never attempt to work without lines. If by mistake you plane out
your line, take the piece to your instructor at once, unless you have
been otherwise directed, that he may tell you what to do.
31. Planing the First End Square.—See that the cutting edge is
very sharp and that the plane-
iron is set perfectly true and very shallow. Examine one of the ends
of the piece by placing the beam of the try-square against the face
side then against face edge to locate the high places. Fig. 6.

Fig. 66.

In free end planing, the cutting edge must not be allowed to reach
the farther corner or the corner will be broken off. Plane only part
way across the end, stopping the cutting edge half an inch or more
from the far edge. Fig. 66. After a few strokes in this direction,
reverse the position and plane in the opposite direction, stopping the
cutting edge half an inch or more of the first edge.
Keep testing the end as the planing proceeds that you may know
what you are doing. Remove no more material than is necessary to
square the end, and lay on the rule occasionally that you may not
endanger the correct length in your efforts to square this end.
32. Finishing the Second End.—Knife lines squared entirely
around the piece, at a given
distance from the end first squared, limit the amount of the planing
that can be done on this end. If the waste stock is over one-eighth of
an inch the saw should be used to remove all but a thirty-second of
an inch before beginning to plane. Watch the lines. If you are
uncertain as to their accuracy, test this end as you did the first one.
33. End Planing with the Shooting Board.—Fig. 67 illustrates a
way in which the ends
of narrow pieces may be easily squared. The plane is pressed to the
shooting board with the right hand. The left hand holds the piece
against the stop and to the plane.

Fig. 67.
 The face edge of the piece should be held against the stop; the
wood must not be allowed to project beyond the stop. If it does, the
corners, being unsupported, will be broken away as in free planing
when the cutting edge is accidentally shoved entirely across the
piece.

Fig. 68.

The bench hook makes an admirable shooting board. Fig. 68.

34. Rules for Planing to Dimensions.
1. True and smooth a broad surface; put on a face mark. This
becomes the face side.
2. Joint (straighten and square) one edge from the face side; put
on a face mark. This becomes the face edge.
 3. Gage to required width from the face edge, and joint to the gage
line.
4. Gage to required thickness on both edges from the face side;
plane to the gage lines.
5. Square one end from the face side and face edge.
6. Lay off with knife and square the required length from the
squared end; saw to the knife line.

Fig. 69. Fig. 70.

 Fig. 71.

35. Planing a Chamfer.—Fig. 69 illustrates a good way to lay out

a chamfer. A notch in the back end of the
gage-stick holds the pencil in position. Holding pencil in this way
draw lines on face and edge indicating width of the chamfer. Fig. 70
illustrates the manner of block planing a chamfer, the piece being
held on the benchhook. Where the piece can be placed in the vise,
Fig. 71 illustrates the method of planing a chamfer with one of the
larger planes. First, plane the chamfers which are parallel to the
grain; then the ends. If the plane-iron is sharp and set shallow, it can
be run entirely across without danger of splitting the corners.
 Fig. 72.

Hold the plane parallel to the edge in planing with the grain. Swing
it to an angle of about forty-five degrees in end chamfering, but move
it parallel with the edge, and not with the length of the plane.
The eye will detect inaccuracies in planing. If further test is
desired, Fig. 72 illustrates one.
 CHAPTER IV.
Boring Tools—Boring.

36. Brace or Bitstock.—Fig. 73 illustrates a common form of

brace. This tool is used for holding the
various kinds of bits which are used in boring, reaming, etc.
The ratchet brace consists of essentially the same parts but in
addition has an attachment which permits of the crank’s acting in
one direction or the other only. It is a necessity where the crank
cannot make an entire revolution, and is very convenient for boring
in hard wood, or for turning large screws.

Fig. 73. Fig. 74.

 To insert a bit, hold the brace firmly with the left hand, revolve the
crank until the jaws are opened far enough to allow the bit tang to
pass entirely within so that the ends of the jaws shall grip the round
part—the shank of the bit. Still firmly holding the brace, revolve the
crank in the opposite direction until the bit is firmly held. Fig. 74.
37. Center Bit.—The old fashioned center bit, Fig. 75, is still used
by carpenters for certain kinds of work. It has, for
the most part, given way to the more modern auger bit.

Fig. 75.

38. The Auger Bit.—The auger bit, Fig. 76, is used for all ordinary
boring in wood. The action of an auger bit is
readily understood by referring to Fig. 76. The spur draws the bit into
the wood. The two nibs cut the fibers, after which the lips remove the
waste, later to be passed along the twist to the surface.

Fig. 76.

Auger bits are usually supplied in sets of thirteen, in sizes varying

from one-fourth of an inch to one inch, by sixteenths.
The size of hole that an auger bit will bore can be told by looking
at the number on the tang or shank. If a single number, it is the
numerator of a fraction whose denominator is sixteen, the fraction
referring to the diameter of the hole which the bit will bore.