The list of social issues in the United States is getting lengthier day by day. There are some of the prominent ones that are affecting the world indirectly.
No doubt, the United States is a powerful country in the world today. It has made its mark in the history by building a strong economy that every other nation envies, and idolizes as well. But, all that glitters is not gold. And every country has its pluses and minuses. There are some serious social issues in the United States as well that need to be dealt with to maintain the position of power and prestige, and set a true example of ideal society in the world.
List of Issues
Privatization is increasing in America, which provides opportunities only to those who can afford. The efforts of socialists to distribute wealth equally are also been opposed by the ruling government. Due to this, rich people are becoming richer and poor becoming poor.
Yes, it is shocking but true. Around 13-17% American population lives below the federal poverty line. The US government does not have an absolute definition for poverty, but it describes the same phenomenon as relative poverty, that is, how income relates to median income. The number of people living under poverty line is increasing at an alarming rate.
The US government provides compulsory education for first 12 years. This education system is controlled by state government and a very little portion is held by local government, which determines the funding and school system of each municipality. Large number of childbearing families from affluent communities seem to be funded heavily compared to less affluent and fewer childbearing families. The problem of ‘school dropouts’ is also increasing due to poor school condition and service.
Due to increased unequal opportunities, the crime rate is also increasing in the US. Prison population in America is growing every day. Most of the prisoners are drug offenders who use or sell recreational drugs. Incarceration of criminals for long sentences has led to three strikes laws and ultimately to incarceration for life after three felonies.
The US does not provide health care to all. It does not have a socialized medicine or public health care system. Only employed people get health insurance such as employee benefit, but the unemployed, part-time, and self employed workers have to pay for their own insurance, which is very expensive. Some studies have shown that medical bills are one of the major causes of declaring bankruptcy in the US.
With growing inflation, the cost of living in America is also increasing significantly. But, the minimum wage is not increasing in the same fashion, and so, many people find it difficult to fulfill their daily basic requirements. The working population makes more money and again spends more on living, which hardly leaves anything behind for savings. America has the lowest saving rate compared to any other developed nation.
Other Social Issues in the United States
- Affirmative Action
- Ageism
- HIV/AIDS
- Alcohol Abuse
- Airline Problems
- Anti Muslim Discrimination and Violence
- Automobile and Highway Safety
- Capital Punishment
- Child Abuse and Sexual Molestation
- Child Labor
- Church State Separation
- Civil Rights Movements
- Corporate Crime
- Consumerism
- Criminal Justice and Rights
- Defense and Security Issues
- Divorce and Child Support
- Domestic Violence
- Disability Rights
- Eating Disorders
- Euthanasia
- Environmental Issues, Wildlife, and Extincting Species
- Food Safety and Drug Safety
- Mafia Wars
- Gambling
- Global Warming
- Homosexuality – Gay and Lesbian Rights
- Public Health Care Reform
- Homelessness
- Housing Costs
- Human Trafficking
- Illegal Immigration
- Identity Theft
- Copyright and Intellectual Property Rights
- Juvenile Crime Justice
- Juvenile Reform
- Journalistic Reform
- Media Bias
- Media, Sex, and Violence
- Mental Illness
- Money Laundering
- Natural Disaster and Disaster Relief
- Nuclear Energy, Power, and Waste
- Obesity
- Organ and Tissue Transplant
- Organized Crime
- Psychological Health
- Plagiarism
- Pornography
- Prostitution
- Racism
- Recycling and Water Conservation
- Reproductive Rights and Technology
- Scientific Research Ethics
- Sex Education
- Sexual Harassment
- Single Parenting
- Stem Cell Research
- Suicide
- Terrorism
- Toxic Waste
- Traffic Congestion
- Unemployment
- Voting Issues
- Waste Management
- Nuclear Weapons and Mass destruction
- Women’s Rights
The above list is not exclusive, as there are many other specific socio-economic and cultural problems that America is faced with. The government needs to come up with stringent policies to solve the aforementioned problems. This requires planning on both, the micro and macro levels to get resolved soon.
