Abstract
This paper considers the problem of social order in a micro-sociological context, by looking at the works of symbolic-interactionist H. Blumer. It attempts to explain the reason we are able to do things collectively as a society.

From the Paper
"Each of the main sociological paradigms has a different explanation for the problem of social order; that is, how are members of a society able to do what they do together. This paper will attempt to explain my view that the reason we are able to do things collectively as a society is because, as individuals, we can rationally decide what our goals are, what our best course of action is to attain those goals, and where necessary, we are able to interpret and interact with our surroundings towards completing what we set out to do."

Tags:blumer, interaction, order, problem, social, symbolic

Abstract
The purpose of this report is to explore the ideas, views and how people relate themselves to their religion and God and to examine the effects of religion on society and society's relationship to their religion. There are four major types of religious groups: cults, sects, churches and ecclesias. This paper includes 3 tables.

Tags:belief, church, cult, gays, god, playboy, scientology, sects

Abstract
In this article, the writer notes that it is often argued that juveniles are victims of circumstances and bad environments. Further, the writer points out that it is said that they come from "broken homes", "dysfunctional families", and "deteriorated neighborhoods" lacking any "internal community support". The writer discusses the relevance of this theory with the "rational" choice theory that criminal behavior is a matter of personal choice. The writer examines the issue of whether youths engage in criminal activities due to their dysfunctional environments or whether they thoughtfully plan, organize and rationalize their criminal activity. Social control and rational choice theories are compared to determine whether youths are victims of their environments or they specifically choose criminal activity regardless of their upbringings.

Outline:
Abstract
Introduction
Youth Development
Theories Examined
Social Control Theory
Rational Choice Theory
Conclusion

From the Paper
" Social control theory can provide explanations to why the majority of incarcerated youths are from poor environments. The theory is criticized for not explaining why juveniles from stable positive environments commit crimes. The concept of white collar criminals is somewhat contrary to social control theories. Youths have risen from poverty, dysfunctional families, poor schooling, deteriorated neighborhoods and criminal peers to become well functioning productive members of society. An unstable difficult environment does not necessarily produce juvenile delinquency as social control theorists would suggest. Numerous negative factors do affect whether a child becomes prone to criminal activity but there are no solid rules or clear explanations."

Tags:victims, environments, circumstances, punishment

Abstract
In this article, the writer notes that burglary is a common and costly crime in the United States. The writer focuses on the crime of burglary and looks at how it impacts society. In order to understand fully the impact that burglary has on society in the United States, it is necessary to understand a few details about the crime. This paper reviews the definition of burglary, the occurrence of burglary in the United States, the financial costs of the crime and the social impact of the crime. The writer maintains that these topics, when taken together, provide a clear and distinct picture of burglary as a common crime that has very high financial and social costs for American society. The writer concludes that if burglary itself were reduced, the whole crime rate of the nation would reduce, and in part this can be achieved through greater public awareness concerning what makes burglary easy for perpetrators.

From the Paper
"The costs of burglary can be measured in a number of different ways. One of the most obvious costs of burglary is the financial cost. The financial costs of burglary can then be broken down even further into different areas of cost. The first of these is direct cost of the property damaged or stolen. Direct costs include the actual monetary costs of items stolen, or damaged. The second form of financial cost due to burglary is known as transfer of property costs. Transfer of property refers to the process in which another steals property that belongs to one person, and in essence, becomes their property. Furthermore, following a burglary the property may be transferred a number of other times to fences and eventually to unsuspecting purchasers. Although the individual who is burglarized views the process as a personal loss, in social terms, the property does not become useless, but is illegally transferred in possession. Another kind of cost involved in burglary are those associated with law enforcement. This includes money spent to pay law enforcement officers, and other members of the criminal justice system. This also includes the costs incurred by defendants to pay lawyers, as well as the expenses of incarceration. "

Tags:crime, property, possession, costs

Abstract
A look at why the Green Movement has failed in creating mass hype due to the limitations put forth by increasing conflict between humans and nature at a global level, the prevailing value of rationalization in society today, scientific uncertainty and the lack of a collective goal. The paper shows that the ramification of this is reflected in the inability of today's society to change the existing attitudes and actions towards the natural world and its resources.

From the Paper
"The Green Movement is an ecological organization that aims to change both the current abusive ideas and actions of humans towards nature. In light of the green theory of value, which holds humans should be interconnected with nature, the Green movement views human agency as the ultimate force that will lead to transformation at respectively, the individual, collective, institutional and structural levels of society. Numerous supporters have called for increased participation through certain social classes, decentralization of resources (political, economical, educational and/or social), and through common sense based on a universal ideology. The Green Movement, however, fails to attract widespread participation by not only the masses, but large-scale institutions themselves, due to the limitations put forth by increasing conflict between humans and nature at a global level, the prevailing value of rationalization in society today, scientific uncertainty and the lack of a collective goal. The ramification of this is reflected in the inability of today's society to change the existing attitudes and actions towards the natural world and its resources."

Tags:environment, green, modernity, movement, rationality, sociology

Abstract
In this article, the writer notes that sex trafficking is the fastest growing organized crime initiative and is expected to replace drugs and arms trafficking to become the number one most profitable enterprise within the next few years. The writer examines how victims are lured, how they survive the conditions and looks at criminal justice initiatives designed to intervene in the trafficking of women and children. The paper does not examine prostitution as a choice, rather, it is limited to those who have, against their will, become enthralled into the sex industry and are afforded no supports or exits by their captors. The writer maintains that prosecution must be the most important method of controlling sex trafficking crimes and concludes that long term imprisonments and attacking the financial stranglehold are the only ways to impact and perhaps control the growth of sex trafficking and its effect on society.

From the Paper
"Transnational sex trafficking and OC operate on three distinct levels: small, medium, and large scale networks. Small scale networks transport small groups of women to a single brothel operator on demand. Medium scale networks move masses of women and children from one country to various global markets. They negotiate prices with purchasers through open human auctions or other means and create false documents to aid travel. Large scale operations control all aspects of the business value chain commencing with recruitment, transportation, and control multi-national networks and facilities where they manage all service delivery. These large scale operations are more equipped to maximize profits. Seventy-five percent of OC sex trafficking operations are large scale enterprises where brothels are staffed by imprisoned prostitutes. As the sex trade industry's economic growth flourishes in countries like Malaysia and Thailand, ghetto brothels are being replaced by luxurious private clubs to appease increased demand by upper class consumers."

Tags:victim, offenders, prosecution, prostitutes

Abstract
In this essay the author goes head to head with Karl Marx's view of alienation. The contradictions which Marx makes on alienation of labor are pointed out and used to figure out what conception of the human essence Marx uses to rest his theory on. The author points out flaws in Marx's essay and offers alternative solutions.

From the Paper
"Karl Marks who lived between 1818 and 1883 wrote the Estrange Labor manuscript in 1844. Being only 26 years of age he challenges the works of the great philosopher Hegel. In his manuscript he considered himself to be a young Hegelian philosopher. Marx explains his beliefs on what he believes to be the key elements of estranged labor, mainly alienation from nature, alienation from product of labor, alienation from the activity of labor, and alienation from species. Hegel believed that trough the use of labor to create objects we could satisfy our bodily needs. He believed that our reason allowed for criticism to improve upon the objects, which allowed the mind to evolve toward pure reason and ultimately freedom. Hegel also noted that freedom was the essence of freedom. Marx does not completely agree with Hegel because he felt his theory was too abstract and ignored important concepts of social organization for production. Marx believes that philosophy in the past had mystified the real contradictions of human existence."

Tags:estranged, labour, metaphsics, society

Abstract
The paper applies the three social theories of structural functionalism, conflict theory and symbolic interactionism to Wal-Mart. The paper shows how Wal-Mart, as the leading hegemonic force in the retail industry, has made a large social impact.

From the Paper
"One theoretic approach called Functionalism proposes that society is "a stable ordered system of interrelated parts and each structure has a function to contribute to the stability of the whole." (Ferris, Stein, 2008, p. 42) One of Walmart's functions for society is to provide a wide range of food, goods and services to the broadest demographic possible at an affordable price in relation to local competition. This helps to maintain a vital commercial economy without a class struggle between what Marx said as the "haves and the have-nots" (Ferris, Stein, 2008, p. 39). As an observation, on the shelving displays at a local Walmart, there were "we price match" signage, "roll-back" and "was and now" signage throughout the store."

Tags:structural, functionalism, conflict, theory, symbolic, interactionism

Abstract
This paper outlines the approach taken by Weber and Durkheim, and compares and contrasts them. The argument that is presented through this paper is that Durkheim chooses to approach the subject of religion in terms of its greater role in the overall society, while Weber seeks to understand the role that religion plays in determining individual action. The paper illustrates the difference in perspective between Weber and Durkheim, as is evident in terms of their approaches, but emphasizes that each view is valid, and together they provide a very complete understanding of the social significance of religion.

From the Paper
"To set the stage, Weber and Durheim are among the most important thinkers to have addressed the subject of religion from a sociological perspective. Each concentrated a great deal of their thinking on the topic, and as such a discussion of the thinking and approaches of each provides an effective demonstration of the overall methodology constructed by each. Although they differ in their approaches, together they provide an accurate understanding of both the individual religious experience (Weber) and the role religion plays as an institution in constructing and maintaining society as a whole (Durkheim)."

Tags:sociologists

Abstract
The paper examines the reconstruction of family composition in 17th and 18th centuries by historian, P. Laslett in his book "The World We Have Lost". It explores why some theories such as the late age of first marriage that was apparently unique to pre-modern Europe, have not been challenged, while others, such as the notion of a stable nuclear pattern, have been disputed at length.

From the Paper
"Because early modern Europe was principally a rural and class-based society, the family structure during this era was highly reliant upon on social rank. When there was land and money at stake, marriage within the same social class was paramount. The poor were also limited to marrying within their social class, but had a larger pool of potential mates from which to choose. This was a time in history in which two-generation households, rather than three-generation households, were customary. The oldest members of the household traditionally bestowed any holdings they had to the next generation upon retirement, and remained in close proximity to the family. The close support that existed between relatives living in separate but neighboring homes makes it difficult to distinguish whether the independent nuclear family was the basic family unit during this time, or whether it was actually the extended family (Laslett, 1984)."

Tags:18th, 19th, Weber, Karl, Marx, Western