POOH百宝箱社会类之一.Problems!NOTE:本期内容比较多，因此增加了索引以便查阅。内容不必看得很仔 细，只是为了让大家有个初步的了解，可以在需要材料时用来査阅，或 是在心中明确问题，比如知道ozone hole, global warming,以及一些 social problem所包括的内容。其实issue中不会涉及太详细的这方面知 识，但是这些材料可以让你脑子里有东西，迅速的联想到这些内容。本 期没有给出相关issue题目，因为本次内容涉及题目较广，科学，社会 等都可以用到，请大家灵活运用!SOCIAL PROBLEM OVERVIEW2GLOBAL WARMING6ELNINO8OZONE HOLE9EARTH-ALTERING ACCIDENTS911ENERGY AND THE EARTH12171922THE OPPOSITION TO HUMAN CLONING:HOW MORALITY AND ETHICS FACTOR INPROBLEMS WITH SOCIETYTEEN SOCIAL ISSUESGENETIC ENGINEERINGSocial Problem OverviewProblems of Poverty and WorkMany myths and stereotypesand many theoriesexist about the poor and the causes of poverty. Sociological explanations for poverty focus on societal needs and social forces. In one view, poverty is an outcome of longstanding conflict between haves and have-nots; in another, poverty is actually functional for society. Structural arrangements, such as official unemployment and the stipulation of a poverty line, have the effect of limiting opportunities and justifying social inequality. Thus, poverty is perpetuated through class discrimination and unequal opportunities for upward mobility. Programs and policies for addressing problems of poverty and work, such as the social welfare system and affirmative action, are themselves problems.Problems of Racial and Ethnic InequalityEconomic and political inequalities in any country arise from overconcentrations of wealth and powe匚 Imbalances in the distribution of power can lead to a lack of political representation in government for some groups, the creation of power elites, the loss of personal freedoms and civil liberties, and abuses of authority, of which genocide is an extreme example. Imbalances in the distribution of wealth can lead to the loss of economic opportunity and social mobility, the creation of a permanent underclass, and conditions of illiteracy, unemployment, homelessness, hunger, and disease. The social problems caused by economic and political inequality are a threat to global security.Gender InequalitySocial and institutional contexts for sex discrimination in American life have included the workplace, occupations, wages, income, housing, banking, health care, toys, school, education, employment, consumer marketplace, military, media, religious organizations, and home. Despite a century of social change stimulated by the feminist movement, gender inequality persists, for example, in problems of sexual violence and exploitation and in issues surrounding gender orientation and homosexuality.Aging Society and Inequalities of AgeThe so-called graying of America has called attention to inequalities of age and the difficulties of caring for growing numbers of elderly in American society. Age is a source of social problems because the very young and the very old may be more vulnerable than other age groups in society. Problems of the elderly, for example, can include poverty, financial insecurity, dependency, isolation, social and political inequality, victimization, and lack of access to adequate housing and health care.Problems of Racial and Ethnic InequalityNo-one doubts that racial and ethnic prejudice and discrimination are sources of grave social problems in the U.S. and in any society. Social contexts for prejudice and discrimination include beliefs about racial purity or superiority, ethnocentric views, stereotyping and labeling, physical and social segregation, economic competition and exploitation in a split-labor market, and institutionalized inequality. Problems of racism persist despite a civil rights movement of more than 50 years and major social change. Other issues in pluralistic societies such as the U.S. relate to the question of giving greater emphasis to diversity or to the assimilation of diverse groups.Crime, Violence, Drugs, and the Criminal Justice SystemMany social problems involve the concept of deviance in relation to a society?s system of social control. These problems overlap significantly because the social and cultural factors that contribute to deviant or antisocial behaviors are complex and deeply interrelated. Juvenile delinquency and street crime, for example, may be linked to youth gang and organized crime activities; the availability of guns, alcohol, and drugs; poverty, unemployment, and lack of economic opportunity; racism; family instability and domestic violence; school failure; and the influence of mass media. Issues within the criminal justice system itself add to the social problems of crime, violence, and drugs.Problems of Families and Family ViolenceFamilies today face changes and issues that affect marriage and the family as a social institution. Some of these issues include family instability, divorce and child custody, spouse and child abuse, gender issues, gay and lesbian families, and issues surrounding reproduction, including reproductive technology, adoption, and abortion. In addition, problems in