Inequality and violence in the United States

In this clearly written text sociologist Barbara Chasin examines both the interpersonal violence with which the news media keeps us familiar, and the less visible, but more costly, structural violence which the media practically ignores. Dr. Chasin makes the point that interpersonal violence is inflicted on its victims by identifiable others, is focused on by the media, and that remedies are available; whereas structural violence primarily affects the poor, the working class, the blacks and other minority groups, is a direct result of decisions made by society's elite, is practically ignored by the media, and is rarely prosecuted with sincerity or vigor. But she convincingly demonstrates that both result from economic inequality. Written for the college student, the book is thoroughly documented and includes recent statistics and tables and, while remaining academically rigorous, it makes compelling use of individual experiences to illustrate theoretical points.

First sentence: When I was writing the first edition of this book in the mid-1990s, public officials were identifying violence as a threat to the quality of life in the United States.

Year

1997

Language

English

Publisher

Humanity Books

Editions

3

Pages

428

ISBN

9781591021605

Data source: Wikidata