Contemporary issues

"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.

Mental health issues have been part of life as long as human beings have existed. Like physical illnesses, mental health problems can strike anyone at any time. But mental illnesses are not discussed openly in the same way as physical health problems, because of the stigma surrounding them. Understanding mental health is the key to talking about it openly, and having open conversations can help people with mental illness live happier, more fulfilling lives. 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.

No matter what their political affiliation, government leaders and public policy experts agree that they want Americans to work and for the national economy to grow at a healthy and sustainable rate. However, the experts often disagree considerably about the best ways to achieve these goals: through free markets, or through greater government control over industry. The essays in this book provide some insights into the pros and cons of various economic strategies and approaches. 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.

More than 7 billion people live on Earth today, so making sure that the planet remains habitable and hospitable for our species is of vital importance. Yet, many scientists are concerned that human activity--from water and air pollution to the emission of greenhouse gases that affect the climate--threatens the stability of the environment. This book examines differing viewpoints on how to best protect our environment and utilize the earth's natural resources. 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.

This book explores major issues in health care today, including the pros and cons of the single-payer health care system, the legalization of medical marijuana, and price controls on pharmaceuticals.