Brenden Weber

The dynamic between urban and rural communities in the United States presents a complex array of social issues. Within urban settings, dense populations often generate challenges such as housing shortages, urban decay , and elevated rates of joblessness in declining neighborhoods. In contrast, rural areas may struggle with issues like isolation, limited access to healthcare or employment, and the out-migration of younger populations. In the chapter and PowerPoint we reviewed, these contrasts are highlighted by how resources, infrastructure and social services are concentrated more heavily in urban centers, while rural regions often lack economies of scale and face “brain drain.” One of the highlights from the assigned questions was how the concept of social stratification plays out differently in urban vs. rural contexts. For example, in urban areas the stratification may appear in terms of gentrified neighborhoods next to under-resourced areas, whereas in rural places stratification...

The study of race , ethnicity , sex , gender , and sexuality reveals how social structures and cultural expectations influence our daily lives and identities. Race refers to categories based on perceived physical differences, while ethnicity involves shared cultural, national, or historical backgrounds. Sociologists argue that race has little biological meaning and functions primarily as a social construct that impacts opportunities and experiences. Likewise, gender differs from sex , as it refers to socially learned behaviors and roles rather than biological traits. These social categories shape people’s access to power, resources, and privilege in ways that often go unnoticed in everyday life. Diversity and inclusion are essential for creating social equality. From a sociological perspective, functionalism , conflict theory , and symbolic interactionism each offer insights into social inequality. Functionalists view inequality as something that can help maintain social stabili...

The topic of poverty, work, and the economy explores how social systems and structures affect people’s opportunities, income, and quality of life. Poverty remains one of the most persistent social problems in the United States and is often shaped by larger economic systems that influence employment, wages, and education. When jobs are scarce or pay low wages, individuals and families face challenges meeting their basic needs. Sociologists study these patterns to understand how inequality develops and why certain groups are more vulnerable to economic hardship than others. From a sociological perspective, functionalism , conflict theory , and symbolic interactionism each provide a different way to understand poverty and work. Functionalists believe that inequality serves a purpose by motivating people to fill different roles in society and keeping the economy running. Conflict theorists argue that poverty results from power differences where the wealthy control resources and limit...

Education is one of the most important social institutions in society because it teaches individuals the knowledge, norms, and values they need to become productive members of their community. The textbook Social Problems: Continuity and Change (v.1.0) explains that formal education, or schooling under trained professionals, became widespread in the United States during the nineteenth century as the nation industrialized. Compulsory education laws were created to promote national unity and prepare immigrants and working-class children for life in an industrial economy. In early America, only wealthy white males received formal schooling, while others learned informally at home or through apprenticeships. Over time, free and required schooling expanded access for all social classes, although inequalities still exist today. In modern society, the U.S. education system involves millions of students and teachers across more than 130,000 schools nationwide. However, the correlates of e...

 Crime and criminal justice are central concerns in sociology because they show how societies define and enforce norms, how social control is maintained, and how power shapes which behaviors are labeled deviance . The chapter this week discussed how crime isn't simply the breaking of laws, but the result of social definitions, institutional power, and inequality. The PowerPoint emphasized how factors like socioeconomic status , neighborhood context, and race/ethnicity influence both who commits crime and who is victimized. Finally, the assigned questions made me think about how data alone can mislead — for example, comparing reported vs. unreported crime, or looking at trends over time rather than one snapshot. From a sociological perspective: Functionalism views crime as having a role in society, such as reinforcing norms when deviant acts provoke social condemnation, or clarifying moral boundaries. Conflict theory argues that crime and laws are shaped by inequality; those ...

 Alcohol and other drugs have long played a central role in society, both in everyday life and as subjects of controversy, regulation, and social concern. This week’s lesson focused on how sociologists approach drug and alcohol use, including the ways in which these substances shape communities, affect individual lives, and contribute to broader social issues. One of the main themes highlighted was how substance abuse not only causes health problems but also creates ripple effects across families, workplaces, and institutions. Alcohol, in particular, is a socially accepted substance, yet it remains linked to a wide range of social problems such as impaired driving, domestic violence, and addiction. The chapter readings and PowerPoint emphasized the importance of defining deviance in relation to drugs and alcohol. Deviance refers to behavior that violates social norms, and whether a drug is considered “acceptable” or “illicit” often depends on cultural context. For example, marij...