Synopsis
Offers essays on social inequality in the United States
Reviews
Grade 10 Up?This title explores the many opinions surrounding America's troubling paradox: how equal justice can be guaranteed to every citizen when unequal conditions are allowed to exist. Beginning with a provocative exchange concerning inequality in this country, the book addresses racism in the criminal-justice system, gender bias, ageism, environmental discrimination, social inequity, and the role of government as equalizer. The signature approach of this series is to present multiple and conflicting perspectives on a variety of related issues. The result is a compelling juxtaposition of ideas and arguments designed to encourage critical thinking and analysis. Articles are consistently well written, ranging in tone from scholarly to inflammatory. Each chapter is prefaced with neutral comments framing the issue. Abstracts head the selections, introducing the authors and sketching their arguments. Within articles, bold headings break the density of the text and guide readers. Viewpoints are uniformly current and thoughtfully written. While the majority of the selections are undoubtedly challenging in both style and substance, they address concepts that are relevant to young adults and provide enough foundational material so as not to require prior reading on the topic. A timely and excellent research tool that offers a one-stop source for critical, multiple perspectives on important social issues.?Jennifer A. Fakolt, Carson City Public Library, NV
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Gr. 9^-12. Issues of race, gender, age, and class are hotly debated here in terms of the causes of inequality and how to fix it. What keeps people poor? Is the criminal justice system fair? Can government solve social problems? Are poor and minority communities victims of environmental racism? Is there gender bias in education? These and many more highly controversial topics are argued from all sides by leading policy makers, activists, and scientists. More broad in scope than most titles in the excellent Opposing Viewpoints series, this long volume is tightly packed with detailed arguments, speeches, and articles as well as useful editorial overviews and commentary. With full documentation and further reading lists for each chapter, this will spark discussion in the classroom and provide access for students' individual research. Hazel Rochman
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
