Medical advances prolong life. They also sometimes prolong suffering. Should we protect life or alleviate suffering? This dilemma formed the foundation for a powerful right-to-die movement and a counterbalancing concern over an emerging culture of death. What are the qualities of a life worth living? Where are the boundaries of tolerable suffering? This book is based on a hugely popular undergraduate course taught at the University of Texas, and is ideal for those interested in the social construction of social worth, social problems, and social movements.

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In light of the recent financial crisis and changing economic landscape, McNamara and Williamson present and analyze the possibility of working longer. Including a range of potential policies (e.g., further increasing the age of eligibility for full Social Security benefits, allocating more government resources to retraining and job search assistance for older workers), this is one of the major approaches currently being discussed by policy analysts inside and outside of the government. Emphasizing the role of inequalities and diversity among older adults, this book provides a framework...

Roe v. Wade came like a bolt from the blue, but support had been building for years. For many, the idea that life in the womb was not fully protected under the Constitution was simply not acceptable. Political campaigns were organized and protests launched, including the bombing of clinics and the killing of abortion providers. Questions about the protection and support of life continued after birth. This book is based on a hugely popular undergraduate course taught at the University of Texas, and is ideal for those interested in the social construction of social worth, social problems,...

Sex, Drugs, and Death: Addressing Youth Problems in American Society explores how youth lifestyles, identity pursuits, behaviors and activities produce a wide range of social problems in contemporary society. The book focuses on the interconnections between three of the most significant youth issues: sexuality, substance use and suicide. The book pays special attention to the unique pursuits of young people and the locations in which they interact, including virtual places like Facebook and more actual ones such as high school, college, and nightclubs. Patterns among females and...

"What part of illegal don t you understand?" This oft-repeated slogan from immigration restrictionists reveals the highly contentious quality of immigration reform.. American immigration policies have not experience a comprehensive overhall since 1986, as debates continue into another election cycle.

This textbook takes a critical perspective on how current immigration laws have been formulated. Central insights from the rich immigration literature and from law and society scholars show how "illegality" is itself produced by law, a status with challenging consequences for...

"What part of illegal don t you understand?" This oft-repeated slogan from immigration restrictionists reveals the highly contentious quality of immigration reform.. American immigration policies have not experience a comprehensive overhall since 1986, as debates continue into another election cycle.

This textbook takes a critical perspective on how current immigration laws have been formulated. Central insights from the rich immigration literature and from law and society scholars show how "illegality" is itself produced by law, a status with challenging consequences for...

Being and becoming trans* is a complex and varied experience whether an individual is living openly as trans* or not. Few published studies in either the academic or popular press illuminate the challenges of living as a trans* person after medical and social transition are complete. Trans* Lives in the United States builds upon earlier research and contributes a much-needed theoretically grounded empirical study that examines the hurdles from transition to the end of life by employing an intersectional analytical frame. The analysis pays careful attention to the role of class...

Being and becoming trans* is a complex and varied experience whether an individual is living openly as trans* or not. Few published studies in either the academic or popular press illuminate the challenges of living as a trans* person after medical and social transition are complete. Trans* Lives in the United States builds upon earlier research and contributes a much-needed theoretically grounded empirical study that examines the hurdles from transition to the end of life by employing an intersectional analytical frame. The analysis pays careful attention to the role of class...