The media, politicians, and people we know continually discuss social issues: poverty, the quality of education, bullying, drug use, the changing family unit, immigration, racism, declining moral values, same-sex marriage, the separation of church and state, the limits of free speech, political polarization, gun violence, unequal pay for women in the workforce, internet-related crime, the death penalty, and so on. They often discuss these issues from a nonsociological point of view. It's time to begin thinking like a sociologist!

First, in your opinion, what is the most important social issue in America today? (You can select an issue listed above, or select your own.) Why?

Second, how would each of the three major theoretical perspectives in sociology-Functionalism, Conflict Theory, and Interactionism-view this issue? Which perspective do you most agree with? Why?