Eligibility
Benefits
Special Problems Divisions
Dues
How to Join or go directly to the Online Application
Tax Deductible Contributions
Special Awards Funds


Eligibility for membership 

Anyone who is interested in or already involved in the application of critical, scientific, and humanistic perspectives to the study of vital social problems.  SSSP is an interdisciplinary community of scholars, practitioners, advocates, and students. If you are involved in scholarship or action in pursuit of a just society nationally or internationally join SSSP. Membership is open to all who support SSSP's goals. 


Membership benefits

All SSSP members receive a years subscription to the journal, Social Problems.  Upon joining SSSP any past issues in the membership year will be provided to new members. Members also receive Social Problems Forum: The SSSP Newsletter.  Social Problems Forum is published three times year.   Members are eligible to join up to three of SSSP's special problems divisions at no additional charge.  With 21 special problem divisions, three is a hard choice.  For a small charge of $2 per division, members can join the other 18 as well.  Membership in the special problems divisions allows current members to vote on who will be chair of the division and also receive the divisions unique newsletters.  All current members receive a reduced rate to attend our Annual Meetings.


Special Problems Divisions (membership in 3 divisions is free with your SSSP membership)

  • Community Research and Development
  • Conflict, Social Action, and Change
  • Crime and Juvenile Delinquency
  • Disabilities
  • Drinking and Drugs
  • Educational Problems
  • Environment and Technology
  • Family
  • Global
  • Health, Health Policy, and Health Services
  • Institutional Ethnography
  • Labor Studies
  • Law and Society
  • Mental Health
  • Poverty, Class, and Inequality
  • Racial and Ethnic Minorities
  • Sexual Behavior, Politics, and Communities
  • Social Problems Theory
  • Sociology and Social Welfare
  • Youth, Aging, and the Life Course
  • Teaching Social Problems

For more information, see the Special Problems Divisions page.


Membership dues

SSSP memberships are based on a calendar year and run January 1 to December 31.  Gross annual income should be used to determine the proper category.  Please read all of the categories and select the one closest to your situation.  Dues are payable to SSSP in U.S. currency.  We accept checks, money orders, Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express. 

  • Life Members, Emeriti before 1989 - those members who were retired before 1989 enjoy all the benefits of SSSP membership but pay no annual dues - $0
  • Undergraduate/Graduate/Unemployed - for those members who are working on their Bachelors, Masters or Ph.D. in any discipline or are currently unemployed - $30.00
  • New Emeriti/Retired Sociologist, beginning in 1989 - those members who retire after 1989 - $45.00
  • First Time Professional Member - for those professionals who have not previously been members of SSSP, we invite you to take advantage of our 1 - year try us out membership. - $45.00
  • Professional Membership Categories based on Gross Annual Income:
    $24,999 and under - $70.00
    $25,000 - $34,999 - $90.00
    $35,000 - $44,999 - $100.00
    $45,000 - $54,999 - $120.00
    $55,000 - $64,999 - $150.00
    $65,000 - $74,999 - $170.00
    $75,000 - $84,999 - $190.00
    $85,000 and up - $210.00
  • Sustaining Membership - (formerly Life Membership) members enjoy all the benefits of SSSP membership without the annual dues - $1,700.00
  • Departmental Membership - for those social science related departments who wish to receive the journal Social Problems and share 1 vote in departmental business - $85.00

Mailing Fees for Members Living Outside the United States:

To help keep membership costs at a minimum we ask that members outside the U.S. pay a mailing fee.
Members located in Canada & Mexico - $3.00
All other members located outside the U.S. - $15.00
U.S. citizens living outside the U.S. must pay the appropriate mailing fee. 


How to Join? We've made it easy!

You may apply online via our secure website or print the form and mail in your dues.  Click here for direct access to our online membership application. Fill out the form, submit and your done.

  1. Decide which Special Problems Divisions you are interested in. Remember you get 3 free but for only $36.00 more you can join them all.
  2. Find your membership category income category.
  3. Decide if you wish to contribute to one of the tax deductable funds that help support SSSP members (a list and description are below).

Complete the Membership Application Form and enclose payment.

If you choose to mail in your dues it is just as easy. Just complete the online application. When you are done, you have the option to print an invoice which you can mail or fax to the SSSP office with your credit card information.

If you have any questions, comments or concerns feel free to contact SSSP at  .  


Tax Deductible Contributions (as permitted by tax law)

  • C. Wright Mills Award: Established in 1964, this annual award is given to the author of the book published in the past year that best exemplifies outstanding social science research and an understanding of the individual and society in the tradition of the distinguished sociologist, C. Wright Mills. The designated funds and future contributions will be used to pay a $500 stipend to the author.
  • Erwin O. Smigel Fund: Established in 1976 to expand employment opportunities in the field of sociology. The designated funds and future contributions will be used to develop information for unemployed and underemployed colleagues in their efforts to find work and to enable such colleagues to attend the annual meeting.
  • Joseph B. Gittler Award: Established in 2007 by an endowment from the Joseph B. Gittler estate.  This award is made in recognition of the significant scholarly achievements that a SSSP member has made in contributing to the ethical resolution of social problems.
  • Lee Founders Award: Established in 1981, this annual award recognizes significant achievements that consistently promote the ideals of the founders of the Society and especially to the humanistic tradition, as exemplified in the contributions of Alfred McClung Lee and Elizabeth Briant Lee. The designated funds and future contributions will be used to purchase a plaque for the winner.
  • Lee Scholar-Activist Support Fund (formerly the Scholar-Activist Support Fund): This annual fund was established in 1992 with a minimum of $2,000 from the Society’s funds. The designated funds and future contributions will be used to emphasize support for scholars in countries whose economies are weak and activists who have limited funds to attend the Society’s annual meetings.
  • Lee Student Support Fund (formerly the Alfred McClung Lee Support Fund): This annual fund was established in 1992 with a minimum of $2,000 from the Society’s funds. The designated funds and future contributions will be used to help defray the cost of conference participation for student members.
  • Racial/Ethnic Minority Graduate Scholarship: Established in 1995, this annual fund is given for support of graduate study and commitment to a career of scholar activism. The designated funds and future contributions will be used to provide scholarships to the winners.
  • Social Action Award: Established in 1990, this award is given annually to an organization in the area where the Society holds its annual meeting. The designated funds and future contributions will be used to pay a $1,000 award to the organization selected that has a history of challenging social inequalities, promoting social change, and/or working toward the empowerment of marginalized people. 
  • SSSP General Fund: The money that is presently on deposit and future contributions will be used to fund activities of the Society.

*The above uses for each fund are currently in place but are subject to change based on the Society’s needs as determined by the Board of Directors.

  • Sustaining Membership (formerly Life Membership): Established in 2000, this fund allows members the opportunity to pay $1,700 for a sustaining membership. One hundred dollars of the $1,700 is recorded as dues payment in the year that the individual becomes a sustaining member. The remaining money that is presently on deposit and future contributions will be placed in an interest and dividend bearing account, and is not refundable or capable of being passed on to another person. The yearly dues of sustaining members will be paid from the account’s earnings.

 Special Awards Funds:

The C. Wright Mills Award is for an exceptional book published during the past year.  The Erwin O. Smigel Award helps unemployed and underemployed colleagues attend the annual meeting.  The Joseph B. Gittler Award recognizes the significant scholarly achievements that a SSSP member has made in contributing to the ethical resolution of social problems. The Lee Founders Award is for significant achievement in the humanistic tradition of the Lee's.  The Lee Scholar-Activist Support Fund gives particular attention to scholars in countries whose economies are weak and activists who have limited funds to attend the annual meeting.  The Lee Student Support Fund helps defray the cost of conference participation for student members.  The Racial/Ethnic Minority Graduate Scholarship is given annually for support of graduate study and commitment to a career of scholar activism. The Social Action Award is given to an organization working for social justice in the vicinity of the annual meeting.  The SSSP General Fund is used to support the broad purposes of the society, without restriction.

For more information on these awards and funds, see the awards & scholarships page.