This collection of readings is aimed at several levels of students of social problems. First of all, it is accessible to people who are not already familiar with the constructionist literature. Second, it is aimed at those who are not particularly interested in subtle theoretical and empirical issues of concern to academics studying social problems from constructionist perspectives. Some readings focus on the construction of problems by scientists and other professionals; others examine the work of social activists, mass media, and social service personnel. Among the topics included are constructionist studies of social inequalities as well as of individual deviance; a comparison of the images of social problems in the United States with those in other countries; and an examination of the importance of politics and power in constructing public images of social problems. Articles range from television's portrayal of crime to earthquake threats; from prostitutes to gifted children, from the diet conscious haunted by obesity to fathers wanting custody of their children; from multicultural education to urine testing for drugs, hate crime legislation, and involuntary commitment in mental hospitals. It is hoped that the variety of examples will serve to convince readers that constructionist perspectives have the power to examine a wide range of issues and the range to encompass the entire sweep of claims-makers and sites of problem constructiion.

These readings are intended to complement Loseke's straightforward text, Thinking About Social Problems, which refers topically to the problems represented in the pages of the reader. However, it can be used as a stand-alone collection in its own right, in conjunction with whatever text an instructor chooses.