This book introduces the reader to the social and behavioural foundations for a `sense of justice' - the form of equilibrium which individuals and legal systems seek to achieve and maintain in a changing and complex world. The contributors draw upon new discoveries and insights from the biologically-based behavioural sciences that are critical to a more informed understanding of legal phenomena, particularly those dealing with complex social and political relationships.
Intended for students, academics and researchers in organization studies, management and sociology, this book argues that organizational structure is primarily determined by environment as opposed to technology. The essays consider the place of organizations within a wide institutional framework, focusing on educational systems and medical services. "Organizational Environments" is an explication of the author's theoretical positions and has an impact on organizational theory.
The move from an industrial to a post-industrial society has been documented by many, as has the impact of this new order on the macro-level institutions of society - government, the workplace and the economy. But what does post-industrial life mean to the individual and for relationships between people? Hage and Powers examine that question, linking global changes in the work patterns, information flow and knowledge to the practice of everyday life. Their answer is that the complexification of society requires a different kind of person. Creativity, flexibility and emotional astuteness will become the watchwords of the future, personality traits that will enable people to successfully adapt to the ever-changing swirl of workplace, familial, personal and leisure roles. Based on the tenets of social theory, the authors present both a vision of the future and a plan for personal and interpersonal action.
The topic of adolescent pregnancy and childbearing encompasses issues related to sexual activity, development and parenting, each with its own consequences. This volume integrates these issues by examining research from diverse perspectives: the authors discuss the biological, sociocultural and interpersonal forces that impinge on adolescents. The volume focuses on patterns of sexual activity, contraceptive use, abortion, single-parenthood, adolescent relationships, prenatal care and interventions to prevent unwanted adolescent pregnancies.
In this volume, Thomas unites two traditions in social science - critical theory and qualitative research - in an attempt to apply a critical world view to the conventional logic of cultural inquiry. Rather than standing in opposition to traditional ethnography, it offers a style of considering the direct relationship between knowledge, society and political action. Thomas addresses the question: if the duty of the researcher entails the righting of social wrongs as well as producing valid research results, how is it possible to juxtapose the two goals? He defines the rules and guidelines for a praxis-oriented ethnographic tradition, one both ideologically engaged and scientifically valid. In addition, he outlines the various types of critical ethnography, explaining the tenets of each and how research can be carried out under these frameworks.
In the 1960s many sociologists proclaimed traditional religion to be in its death throes. But, just as secularization gained nearly universal acceptance among scholars, religious resurgence burst forth from many directions - new religious movements and the growth of Islamic fundamentalism for example. In A Future for Religion?, contributors ask whether, if such dynamic forces are at work, is religion really dying? They discuss issues usually excluded from books on the sociology of religion - including religious experience, emotional renewal, religion and the body.
Controversial Issues in Educational Policy examines the current debates in US education including such issues as parental choice, decentralization, bilingual education and the role of business. For each issue, tensions among the conflicting ideas of conservatism and liberalism and among the basic societal values of equity, liberty and efficiency and excellence are examined. Bierlein discusses multiple aspects of each topic and equips readers with a foundation necessary to carefully analyze the debates.
Are there effective ways to support a family with problems (for example, neglect, abuse, HIV, terminal illness) in order to prevent it breaking up, and make a positive change possible? This book examines Intensive Family Preservation Services, tracing the history of these services, their success at solving family problems, how families respond to the services and how their effectiveness varies according to the type of problem a family is experiencing. Through an exploration of these issues, the contributors offer their own experience as a basis for tracing the evolution of IFPS and the advances that have been made in the field.
Families today are changing in response to shifts in the broader environment: dual-career couples, single-parent families, racially mixed families, now represent the norm rather than the exception. A group of leading family researchers examine current social changes and their impact on family relationsips and family functioning. As an overview of the present state of and future directions for families, this book should be required reading for family researchers, practitioners and students.
