Social Construction of Abducted Children as a Social Problem

• NCJ Number: 122251
• Journal: Sociological Inquiry Volume: 58 Issue: 4 Dated: (Fall 1988) Pages: 413-425
• Author(s): C Gentry
• Date Published: 1988
• Length: 13 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Research (Theoretical); Historical Overview
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Using the theoretical framework developed by Spector and Kitsuse (1973;1977), this paper describes the development of the issue of abducted children as a social problem.

Abstract

Analysis of this particular case suggests theoretical refinements for the social constructionist perspective. It is argued that the concept of a "valence issue" could be used to differentiate between the natural histories of substantively different kinds of social problems. (Author abstract)