"This is a superb book. By presenting basic sociological topics in terms of the paradoxes they contain, O'Brien situates the discipline and its subject matter in historical and intellectual context, while using examples that are contemporary, accessible, and of interest and relevance to students. I look forward to using Social Prisms in my sociology courses and to the animated class discussions that I'm sure her book will engender." --Anita Ilta Garey, University of New Hampshire "Pine Forge Press has done it again Social Prisms bolsters the well-deserved reputation of Pine Forge Press for...

This new anthology brings together over 90 recent readings on gender, sexuality, and intimate relationships from Contexts, the award-winning magazine published by the ASA. Each contributor is a contemporary sociologist writing in the clear, concise, and jargon-free style that has made Contexts the "public face" of sociology. The editors have chosen pieces that are timely, thought-provoking, and especially suitable for classroom use; written introductions that frame each of the books three main sections; and provided questions for discussion.