Society for the Study of Social Problems

Society for the Study of Social Problems is a professional American Sociological Association-affiliated organization dedicated to the study of social problems, with a focus on inequality, poverty, and social justice. Founded in 1951 by Alfred McClung Lee and Elizabeth Briant Lee, the organization has been influenced by the works of Karl Marx, Émile Durkheim, and Max Weber. The organization's mission is to promote research, theory, and practice that address the most pressing social issues of our time, including racism, sexism, and environmental degradation, as highlighted by scholars such as W.E.B. Du Bois, Jane Addams, and C. Wright Mills.

● History

The Society for the Study of Social Problems was established in 1951, with its first meeting held at the University of Chicago. The organization's early years were marked by a focus on urban sociology, with scholars such as Louis Wirth and Herbert Blumer playing key roles. The organization's history has been shaped by its interactions with other professional organizations, including the American Sociological Association, the Association of Black Sociologists, and the Society for the Study of Symbolic Interaction. The organization has also been influenced by major events, such as the Civil Rights Movement, the Women's Liberation Movement, and the Environmental Movement, which have been studied by scholars such as Martin Luther King Jr., Betty Friedan, and Ralph Nader. Additionally, the organization has been impacted by the work of Howard Becker, Erving Goffman, and Robert Merton, who have contributed to the development of labeling theory, dramaturgy, and social learning theory.

● Organization

The Society for the Study of Social Problems is governed by a board of directors composed of scholars from various universities and research institutions, including Harvard University, University of California, Berkeley, and the National Institute of Mental Health. The organization is divided into several divisions, each focusing on a specific area of research, such as crime and juvenile delinquency, environmental sociology, and health and health policy, which are also areas of focus for organizations such as the National Institute of Justice, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the World Health Organization. The organization's leadership has included notable scholars such as Herbert Blumer, Alfred McClung Lee, and Joan Moore, who have also been involved with other organizations, including the American Sociological Association, the Society for the Study of Symbolic Interaction, and the Latin American Studies Association. Furthermore, the organization has collaborated with other professional organizations, such as the International Sociological Association, the Association of Black Sociologists, and the Society for the Study of Social Problems' own Division on Women and Crime.

● Activities

The Society for the Study of Social Problems engages in various activities, including hosting annual meetings and conferences, which have been held at locations such as the University of Chicago, New York University, and the University of California, Los Angeles. These events provide a platform for scholars to present their research and engage in discussions with colleagues, including notable scholars such as Erik Olin Wright, Immanuel Wallerstein, and Theda Skocpol. The organization also sponsors workshops and training sessions on topics such as research methods, grant writing, and academic publishing, which are also offered by organizations such as the National Science Foundation, the Social Science Research Council, and the American Sociological Association. Additionally, the organization collaborates with other professional organizations, such as the American Psychological Association, the National Association of Social Workers, and the American Public Health Association, to address pressing social issues, including mental health, substance abuse, and health disparities, which have been studied by scholars such as Sigmund Freud, Jean-Martin Charcot, and Rudolf Virchow.

● Publications

The Society for the Study of Social Problems publishes several journals, including Social Problems, Social Problems: Global Perspectives, and Social Problems Forum, which are also indexed by databases such as JSTOR, Scopus, and Web of Science. These journals feature research articles, book reviews, and commentaries on a wide range of topics, including poverty and inequality, crime and deviance, and environmental sociology, which are also areas of focus for publications such as the Journal of Poverty, the Journal of Crime and Delinquency, and the Journal of Environmental Studies. The organization also publishes newsletters and bulletins, which provide updates on the organization's activities and highlight the work of its members, including notable scholars such as Kai Erikson, David Matza, and Arlie Russell Hochschild. Furthermore, the organization has published several books and monographs on topics such as social movements, social policy, and social theory, which are also areas of focus for publishers such as University of California Press, Routledge, and Cambridge University Press.

● Awards

The Society for the Study of Social Problems presents several awards to recognize outstanding contributions to the field of social problems, including the C. Wright Mills Award, the Lee Founders Award, and the Katherine Newman Award, which are also awarded by organizations such as the American Sociological Association, the Association of Black Sociologists, and the Society for the Study of Symbolic Interaction. These awards honor scholars who have made significant contributions to our understanding of social problems, including inequality, poverty, and social justice, which have been studied by scholars such as W.E.B. Du Bois, Jane Addams, and Martin Luther King Jr.. The organization also recognizes the achievements of its members through fellowships and grants, which are also offered by organizations such as the National Science Foundation, the Social Science Research Council, and the Ford Foundation. Additionally, the organization has established lectureships and symposia in honor of notable scholars, including Herbert Blumer, Alfred McClung Lee, and Joan Moore, which are also sponsored by organizations such as the American Sociological Association, the Society for the Study of Symbolic Interaction, and the Latin American Studies Association.

● Membership

The Society for the Study of Social Problems has a diverse membership of scholars, researchers, and practitioners from various disciplines, including sociology, psychology, anthropology, and public health, which are also represented by organizations such as the American Sociological Association, the American Psychological Association, the American Anthropological Association, and the American Public Health Association. Members of the organization come from universities, research institutions, and non-profit organizations around the world, including Harvard University, University of California, Berkeley, and the World Health Organization. The organization offers various benefits to its members, including access to its journals and publications, opportunities for professional development, and networking with colleagues, which are also offered by organizations such as the National Science Foundation, the Social Science Research Council, and the Ford Foundation. Additionally, the organization has established student memberships and early career memberships to support the development of young scholars, which are also offered by organizations such as the American Sociological Association, the Association of Black Sociologists, and the Society for the Study of Symbolic Interaction. Category:Social sciences