Contemporary issues

"Video games and entertainment media are meant to be fun, but games and television shows have also been no stranger to controversy. Politicians, teachers, and parents groups have accused them of glorifying violence, leading to a sedentary lifestyle, and other issues. Others note the potential benefits of entertainment media. The discussion is not clear-cut, and as such, the consensus can be difficult to grasp. This book aims to provide much-needed perspective " -- Back cover.

Today, Americans own more than 360 million guns, and many view firearms as a symbol of self-reliance and a critical defense against the threat of government tyranny.

" This book explores the heated debate currently raging over the benefits to society of legalizing marijuana" -- Back cover.

In a pro-con format, explores issues surrounding drones and surveillance.

"This book explores the issue of whether the government should pay reparations for slavery. It examines what those reparations might look like, and how they might change the lives of eligible Black Americans" -- Back cover.

The most devastating virus to affect humanity in a century, SARS-CoV-2 went from a curious new disease to a global pandemic within the span of weeks. The global system made it possible for COVID-19 to spread to nearly every country in the world within a month, at which point the virus devastated healthcare systems, paralyzed national economies, and contributed to social unrest and instability. Mask mandates, vaccination, and other issues relevant to the COVID-19 pandemic are explored in this book.

According to current statistics, about 40 million Americans currently live in poverty. These individuals face many challenges, from an inability to afford food and shelter to greater health problems due to lack of proper care and nutrition. The US government provides a variety of programs to help the poorest Americans. Yet people are divided on the best ways to address this social problem. The merits and drawbacks of various approaches are discussed in this book. The Contemporary Issues Pro-Con series is to give young readers a better understanding of major social issues today. Each book examines four key questions related to a controversial topic, with essays that detail the most commonly heard arguments on both sides of the discussion. The arguments contained within are supported by data from experts as well as nonpartisan reports, allowing to reader to make his or her own informed decision on the issue.

The United States was founded, in part, on religious freedom--the idea that government should not be involved in the ways that people worship their deity or practice their religion. However, because historically most Americans belonged to Christian denominations, often religious symbols were incorporated into public buildings and government activities. In recent years, however, the legitimacy of these symbols has been challenged in the courts. The essays in this book examine major issues related to religious freedom today. The Contemporary Issues Pro-Con series is to give young readers a better understanding of major social issues today. Each book examines four key questions related to a controversial topic, with essays that detail the most commonly heard arguments on both sides of the discussion. The arguments contained within are supported by data from experts as well as nonpartisan reports, allowing to reader to make his or her own informed decision on the issue.

The United States has a long and difficult history of race relations. Although slavery was ended after the American Civil War in 1865, its legacy continues today in education, employment, housing, and the criminal justice system. This book examines the roles that society and government could play in changing attitudes toward race and creating a country where people are judged on the content of their character, rather than the color of their skin. The Contemporary Issues Pro-Con series is to give young readers a better understanding of major social issues today. Each book examines four key questions related to a controversial topic, with essays that detail the most commonly heard arguments on both sides of the discussion. The arguments contained within are supported by data from experts as well as nonpartisan reports, allowing to reader to make his or her own informed decision on the issue.

Social media facilitates the creation and sharing of information and ideas online, through electronic devices like smart phones, laptops, personal computers, or tablets. Today, an estimated 2.8 billion people around the world use social media networks such as Facebook, YouTube, Snapchat, or Instagram to engage with friends, family members, and even strangers. Yet, the growing role of social media in everyday life has raised challenging questions about privacy, advertising, and the effect on young people that are addressed in this book. The Contemporary Issues Pro-Con series is to give young readers a better understanding of major social issues today. Each book examines four key questions related to a controversial topic, with essays that detail the most commonly heard arguments on both sides of the discussion. The arguments contained within are supported by data from experts as well as nonpartisan reports, allowing to reader to make his or her own informed decision on the issue.