A reader on selected social issues emphasises the nature, causes and consequences of seventeen social phenomena. In this edition all chapters have been extensively updated, while four new chapters have been added, namely Child maltreatment, Eating and nutritional disorders in children and youth, Self-harming behaviours, and Adult sexual violence against women and men. The content of the chapters is not discipline specific, and disciplines can therefore use their own perspectives to guide their students to a better understanding of the phenomena dealt with in the book. Discussion topics at the end of each chapter can be used to encourage students to deal with aspects beyond the scope of the text. Both national and international experts have contributed chapters to this edition.