In 1992, 24,500 people were murdered in the United States, but at least 100,000 died as a result of occupational illnesses. Another 100,000 died because they could not afford adequate health care. The public is indignant when a child is murdered, yet each year about 12,000 infants die because of poverty. Why are Americans so concerned with street violence but less angry over the daily deaths resulting from the routine workings of our society? In this clearly written examination of class, racial, & gender violence in the contemporary United States, sociologist Barbara H. Chasin discusses the obvious violence of individual murder & assault in our society & also the less publicized violence caused by the routine workings of a society, & especially, of its stratification. Throughout this thoroughly researched book she stresses the connections between violence & economic, ethnic, & gender inequality. Inequality & Violence in the United States includes recent statistics & tables, & thorough documentation. Written in a style easily understandable to present-day college students, it is academically rigorous, but makes use of compelling individual experiences to illustrate theoretical points.

How violent is the United States? It is more dangerous to live in the U.S. than in any advanced capitalist society, whether we look at criminal or structural violence. Ranked sixth in per capita GNP ranking the U.S. is first in interpersonal violence, as follows (per 100,000 population): * higher homicide committed by men (three times the nearest rank) * highest number of reported rapes (four times the nearest rank) * highest imprisonment rate (over four times the nearest rank) And the U.S. also has higher rates of structural violence.

* highest infant mortality rate * highest sulfur & nitrogen emissions * highest road accident rate * highest hazardous waste production.