Students approaching sociology for the first time often wonder whether it is really relevant to their lives. This brief introduction to the field leaves little room for doubt. The authors challenge readers to think seriously about the choices they will face in education, career, marriage, parenting, and other important dimensions of life. Popular ideology emphasizes that we can–and should–get what we want from life. Yet the research highlighted in this book shows that most of us do not get what we want, settling instead for what we can get. How our choices are shaped and limited by the actions of others around us underlies the authors' lucid explanation of social structure and sociology–the systematic study of social relations. Choices and Chances is an ideal supplement to introductory textbooks. It can also be used as a concise introduction to sociology when supplemented by a variety of other topical course readings.