Current Social Issues
Read Chapter Four of the text, Introduction to Sociology, and review the article, Overweight and Obesity, U.S. Obesity Trends. Answer the following questions from the text (page 183), Applying Sociology: Is Obesity Really a Problem?
Why is obesity high in some states and not in others?
Is overeating the only cause of rising obesity rates, or what other social factors could contribute to them?
In the nature-nurture debate, do you think that people are the size they are because of genetics or because of lifestyle choices?
Social Institutions
Vessing (2011) states, “a society needs a variety of social institutions in order to function adequately. However, it does appear that not all citizens have equal access to participation in them, and that one’s social class and ascribed characteristics may limit one’s ability to benefit from them. This disparity results in unequal access to all that the institutions have to offer” (p. 197). Review the various social institutions discussed in Chapter Four of the text, Introduction to Sociology. In your opinion, which of these institutions do not provide equal access? If you were asked to implement changes from a sociological perspective, what changes would you suggest? Support your answer with detailed examples.