GRE作文-社會(huì)類之1-Problems

1、社會(huì)類之1-Problems TOC o 1-1 h z HYPERLINK l _Toc76909823 Social Problem Overview PAGEREF _Toc76909823 h 2 HYPERLINK l _Toc76909824 Global Warming PAGEREF _Toc76909824 h 6 HYPERLINK l _Toc76909825 ELNINO PAGEREF _Toc76909825 h 8 HYPERLINK l _Toc76909826 Ozone hole PAGEREF _Toc76909826 h 9 HYPERLINK l _T

2、oc76909827 Earth-Altering Accidents PAGEREF _Toc76909827 h 9 HYPERLINK l _Toc76909828 Energy and the Earth PAGEREF _Toc76909828 h 11 HYPERLINK l _Toc76909829 The Opposition to Human Cloning: PAGEREF _Toc76909829 h 12 HYPERLINK l _Toc76909830 How Morality and Ethics Factor in PAGEREF _Toc76909830 h 1

3、2 HYPERLINK l _Toc76909831 Problems With Society PAGEREF _Toc76909831 h 17 HYPERLINK l _Toc76909832 Teen Social Issues PAGEREF _Toc76909832 h 18 HYPERLINK l _Toc76909833 Genetic Engineering PAGEREF _Toc76909833 h 21Social Problem OverviewProblems of Poverty and WorkMany myths and stereotypes-and man

4、y theories-exist 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 arra

5、ngements, 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 pro

6、blems 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 power. Imbalances in the distribution of power can lead

7、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 opportunit

8、y 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 dis

9、crimination 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,

10、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 f

11、or 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 po

12、litical 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 d

13、iscrimination 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 movemen

14、t 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 conc

15、ept of deviance in relation to a societys 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 t

16、o 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

17、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

18、issues, gay and lesbian families, and issues surrounding reproduction, including reproductive technology, adoption, and abortion. In addition, problems in family life affect individual and group behavior in ways that contribute to other social problems. For example, economic conditions that force bo

19、th parents to work full time outside the home without affordable child care can lead to child neglect and a host of subsequent social problems.Problems of Health, Illness, and Health Care DeliveryThe bioethics of transplants, genetic screening, gene therapies, reproductive technologies, physician-as

20、sisted suicide, and euthanasia are among the many issues of health and medicine today. Decreasing access to care and rising costs of care are major problems. In the U.S. health care increasingly is provided on a for-profit basis only by the health maintenance organizations, hospitals, pharmaceutical

21、 companies, and insurance companies on which health care access, delivery, and quality depend.Problems of EducationIn the U.S. today, problems of education relate to funding, teacher quality and the status of the teaching profession, student academic performance and standardized testing, racial imba

22、lances and equal educational opportunity, and the curriculum in relation to labor force needs and global competition. New problems, such as teacher shortages, overcrowded and unsafe schools, and unequal access to educational technology join other perennial issues in education such as gender bias and

23、 the bilingual education debate. The educational system as a social institution and individuals educational experiences and levels of attainment are key factors in addressing other social problems.Environmental Quality as a Social ProblemEnvironmental problems arise both directly and indirectly from

24、 peoples social institutions, social behavior, and cultural values. Conditions of population growth, affluence and poverty, technological and industrial development, domestic and international economic activities, and patterns of consumption all affect the use-and abuse-of land, energy resources, an

25、d natural resources such as plants and animals, as well as the quality of soil, water, and air. Top problems of environmental quality today include deforestation, global warming, biodiversity loss, and hazardous waste. The solutions to these and environmental problems involve social change.Problems

26、of Population, Immigration, and UrbanizationPopulation problems are defined by the numbers and distributions of people within a physical area and by the movements of people within and between areas. For example, overpopulation of an area can contribute to food shortages, and migrations between areas

27、 can lead to inter-group conflicts. Demographers relate population statistics to sociological variables such as age, gender race and ethnicity, and socioeconomic status, and sociologists use this information to study the effects of population problems and policies. In the U.S. problems include, for

28、example, the decline of cities, segregated neighborhoods, homelessness, and illegal immigration.Problems of Social Change: Media and TechnologyTechnological change associated with industrialization and modernization has created vast challenges as well as benefits. Changes that began with mechanizati

29、on and automation have led to stockpiles of weapons of mass destruction, genetic engineering and biotechnology, robotics, and the globalization of electronic telecommunications. These developments continue to change the world in which we live. Social problems of technological change range from unemp

30、loyment and the loss of personal privacy and control, from ethical dilemmas to social inequality, and from cultural lag to cultural colonialism. What new social transformation awaits even a postmodern world?Global WarmingGlobal warming refers to an average increase in the Earths temperature, which i

31、n turn causes changes in climate. A warmer Earth may lead to changes in rainfall patterns, a rise in sea level, and a wide range of impacts on plants, wildlife, and humans. When scientists talk about the issue of climate change, their concern is about global warming caused by human activities. Poten

32、tial Effects of Global WarmingThis global warming trend can cause a significant global climate changes. Human society is highly dependent on the Earths climate. Climate patterns and human adaptations determine the availability of food, fresh water, and other resources for sustaining life. The social

33、 and economic characteristics of society have also been shaped largely by adapting to the seasonal and year-to-year patterns of temperature and rainfall. Some potential effects associated with climate change are listed in the following. (from U.S. Climate Action Report)Water Resources:The quality an

34、d quantity of drinking water, water availability for irrigation, industrial use, and electricity generation, and the health of fisheries may be significantly affected by changes in precipitation and increased evaporation. Increased rainfall may cause more frequent flooding. Climate change would like

35、ly add stress to major river basins worldwide.Coastal Resources:A estimated 50 cm rise in sea level by the year 2100, could inundate more than 5,000 square miles of dry land and an additional 4000 square miles of wetlands in the U.S.HealthHeat-stress mortality could increase due to higher temperatur

36、es over longer periods. Changing patterns of precipitation and temperature may produce new breeding sites for pests, shifting the range of infectious diseases.AgricultureImpacts of Climate change in developing countries could be significant.ForestsHigher temperatures and precipitation changes could

37、increase forest susceptibility to fire, disease, and insect damage.Energy and TransportationWarmer temperatures increase cooling demand but decrease heating requirements. Fewer disruptions of winter transportation may occur, but water transport may be affected by increased flooding or lowered river

38、levels.Ozone holeOzone destruction. Rising greenhouse gas emissions account for all or part of the water vapor increase, which causes stratospheric ozone destruction.(The increased transport of water vapor to the stratosphere seems likely to have been induced by human activities. )What Is An Ozone H

39、ole? Ozone molecules are made up of three atoms of oxygen. They comprise a thin layer of the atmosphere that absorbs harmful ultraviolet radiation from the Sun. An ozone hole is what scientists call an ozone depletion area of in that region of Earths atmosphere. Earth-Altering AccidentsAccidents hap

40、pen, but when they destroy the delicate balance of nature or cause a large number of people to suffer, they become disasters. Here are some of the largest disasters that have been caused by human activity.Love Canal1953, New York, U.S.Love Canal, a small town in upstate New York near Niagara Falls,

41、was destroyed by waste from chemical plants. Beginning in 1947, chemical companies could legally dump their waste products into the canal. In the 1950s, families began to settle in the area without being told about the waste and the health problems it might cause. The area developed a foul smell, tr

42、ees lost their bark, and leaves fell throughout the year. In the 1970s, scientists found that the drinking water contained excessive levels of 82 industrial chemicals, 7 of which were thought to cause cancer. The people of Love Canal had an unusually high rate of cancer and birth defects. Eventually

43、, many of the houses had to be abandoned. By the 1990s, the town had been cleaned up enough for families to begin moving back to the area.Three Mile Island1979, Pennsylvania, U.S.On March 28, 1979, the worst accident in U.S. nuclear-reactor history occurred at the Three Mile Island power station, ne

44、ar Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. No one was killed, and very little radioactivity was released into the air when coolant (the fluid that keeps a machine cool) escaped from the reactor core due to a combination of mechanical failure and human error.Bhopal chemical leakDecember 1984, Bhopal, IndiaAn explo

45、sion in the Union Carbide chemical plant in Bhopal, India, released a deadly gas called methyl isocyanate, which is used to make pesticides. The gas formed a cloud that killed 2,500 people; another 50,000-100,000 people became ill. Trees and plants in the area became yellow and brittle. The explosio

46、n was caused by a mechanical failure that was not noticed in time to stop it.ChernobylApril 1986, Ukraine, former Soviet UnionAt 1:23 A.M. on Saturday, April 26, 1986, the reactor blew at the nuclear power plant in Chernobyl, ripping open the core, blowing the roof off the building, starting more th

47、an 30 fires, and allowing radioactive material to leak into the air. Some 31 people were killed and nearly 300 people were treated for radiation poisoning. Glaring violations of safety rules were at the bottom of this tragic event.Exxon Valdez oil spillMarch 1989, Alaska, U.S.On March 24, 1989, 11.2

48、 million gallons of crude oil spilled into Prince William Sound from the tanker Exxon Valdez when its hull hit a reef and tore open. The spill, which cost billions of dollars to clean up and killed millions of birds, fish, and other wildlife, was caused by human error and could have been avoided.Ene

49、rgy and the EarthEnergy is the power that we use for transportation, for heat and light in our homes and other places, and for the manufacture of all kinds of products. It has many other uses, too. The development of science and civilization has been closely linked to the availability of energy in u

50、seful forms.Energy is closely related to the condition of the environment for several reasons. One is that most of the energy we use comes from fossil fuels, including coal, petroleum, and natural gas, which are found in the earth. These natural resources are not renewablethat is, once they are used

51、 up, they are gone forever. The process of gathering fossil fuels and other natural resources can be devastating to the sensitive wildlands (such as the tropical rainforests, the Arctic tundra, and coastal marshes) from which they come.Another way that energy is linked to the environment is that its

52、 production and its use can cause environmental damage. Fossil fuels are put through a burning process called combustion in order to produce energy. Combustion causes the release of various pollutants, such as carbon monoxide and sulfur dioxide, which pose health risks and may contribute to acid rai

53、n and global warming.The environmental impact of fossil fuels has led many people to turn to other sources of energy when possible. There are a growing number of ways in which renewable energy from the sun, the wind, and water, can be used for day-to-day needs, and these alternatives are becoming in

54、creasingly cheaper and easier to use. Some people have bought solar panels that can be connected to their homes to convert sunlight into electricity. Some have abandoned their gas-powered cars in favor of ones that are solar-powered. Many people heat their homes with wood-burning stoves instead of g

55、as or electricity.Another kind of energy is nuclear energy. Nuclear energy is created at power plants through a scientific process that involves splitting atoms. When an atoms nucleus is split, energy is released. This kind of energy is currently used to create electricity by boiling water to create

56、 steam that turns turbines. While nuclear power is a useful source of energy, the radiation that it produces can be harmful to people if they are exposed to high levels of it. Nuclear plants must adhere to very strict safety practices in the production of nuclear energy and the disposal of nuclear w

57、aste. The Opposition to Human Cloning: How Morality and Ethics Factor inThis idea of human cloning has fueled debate not just in the United States, but also with countries all over the world. I believe that it is not morally and ethically right to clone humans. Even though technology is constantly a

58、dvancing, it is not reasonable to believe that human cloning is morally and ethically correct, due to the killing of human embryos, the unsafe process of cloning, and the resulting consequences of having deformed clones.An ethical issue of great importance on cloning is what will be the consequences

59、 of it if it was actually successful. I believe that such individuals would be wronged in morally significant ways. Many of these wrongs would involve the denial to give the human clones the right of an open future. For example, a child might be constantly compared to the adult from whom he was clon

60、ed, and thereby could then be burdened with expectations that he/she could not astound to. Another way in which a clone could be denied an open future is if the parents limited the cloned childs opportunities for growth and development. A child cloned from a basketball player might be denied to purs