Social Issues

Everything I was being taught in dental school about fluoride was wrong. To my horror, it was all quite the opposite. I made it my goal to find out why..

The computer revolution that began in the second half of the twentieth century has brought many benefits, but also some downsides. I look at the advantages and disadvantages of the internet.

My personal views on the widening social and cultural divide between America and Europe, looking at our histories to explore the influence on social reform; particularly for Britain since WW2

This article summarizes the various reported incidents of human trafficking in the contemporary world. The story also provides contacts for organizations involved in the fight against human trafficking.

Democrats are placing themselves at a huge disadvantage in much of America due to their stance on gun control. Americans today value the Second Amendment as much as ever.

Radioactive Waste in the Ocean. Radioactive waste storage in the oceans. The pros and cons of long term radioactive storage of waste.

While numerous people have felt deep conflicts between their physiological and psychological structures, gender reassignment has been slow to emerge as a pathway to freedom

America is passionately divided on the issue of gun control and the 2nd Amendment, and some, it seems, will go to extreme lengths to counter any changes in the law. This is the reason for this article

The technological revolution of recent years has brought with it many positives, but also quite a few negatives. I look at the advantages and disadvantages of technology.

How can you tell if someone is homeless? There's no sure way but there are a lot of clues that may add up to homelessness when taken together. Knowing them can keep people living on the street safer.

This article lists the advantages and disadvantages of school uniforms.

Have you ever wondered why people become homeless? This article explains just a few of the most common causes of home loss for people living in the United States. Some of them may surprise you.

Are pets and zoo animals slaves or prisoners? Projecting the human emotional state upon animals is not necessarily in line with optimal animal welfare.

This is an exploration of the many reasons why people choose not to have children.

Support homosexuality or leave! Those were the choices Christian counseling student Julea Ward faced when her faculty demanded she approve same-sex relationships when counseling homosexuals.

The tiny Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan does not measure its progress by GDP; it uses Gross National Happiness (GNH). Now the idea of GNH is attracting global attention as a sustainable way to progress.

Welcome the world of the "lifelong customer" where babies are taught from infancy to memorize brand logos and jingles. Do any of us stand a chance? How did this happen?

This article looks at the pros and cons of a US amnesty for illegal immigrants and lists the arguments used by both sides in the debate.

This article gives the essential arguments for and against gun control laws, listing the main pros and cons that people use in the debate.

The title "Ms." has become common currency in our social systems these days, but it is a fairly new invention. Now Ms. is used by nearly every woman, but most women don't know that it has philosophical roots in the early feminism movement of the 60s.

The argument for and against the installation of metal detectors in schools is growing. This article shares both sides and takes a look at the school environment around this issue.

Religion has its good points, but does it do more harm than good? This essay does a cost-benefit analysis and discusses the good, the bad, and the ugly of religion in modern times.

Sociological research demonstrates that when whites are exposed to the Confederate flag, it causes them to react more negatively toward blacks.

For every second in David Rockefeller's long life, he's been one of the wealthiest human beings on the planet. But this isn't the only fact that makes it easy to dislike him....

Think tanks have an enormous effect on public opinion and policy. Most think tanks promote themselves as being unbiased - but are they?

This article explores the issues regarding the question of whether or not cigarettes should be banned, with themain arguments that are used for and against making cigarettes illegal listed.

I am often asked why I don't believe in God. It seems shocking to some, and an immediate condemnation of being evil usually follows. The simple answer is no God has ever answered my prayers...

10 real and whimsical solutions to stop a mailbox thief before they can steal your mail or identity. From practical mail tips to locks and alarms for mailboxes.

Have you wondered why people living on the street don't just get jobs and stop being homeless? Learn about homeless employment statistics, the barriers to employment they must overcome, and share your solutions in the comments.

Sadly, echoes of the bitter segregationists are still heard today even among those who seek high office.

Invasive snakehead fish populations are becoming established in the USA. But what are the reals dangers and how damaging are they to local ecosystems?

One of the most significant controversies which has emerged in education has to do with cell phones. More specifically…should cell phones be allowed in school? There are pros and cons to both sides.

Have you wondered about the earth's floating patches of garbage? This article explains how these garbage patches got into our oceans and what's being done to reduce or eliminate them.

Arguments for keeping the Columbus Day Holiday and honoring America's pre-Columbian inhabitants and their contributions to our country with their own separate holiday.

What can be done to change people's minds about tossing trash in the streets or industrial waste in our rivers? We can start by looking at our own behavior and asking ourselves some key questions.

Often lumped together, this article attempts to discern how chewing tobacco and cigarette addictions are different.

Dr. Ivar Giaever has become a media darling for climate change denialists. But having a renowned scientist supporting their cause may not be the definitive component they need to win this argument.

Bullied children across America suffer needlessly. The number and severity of attacks by bullies continue to increase exponentially with the availability of social media sites and texting capabilities. States, desperate to get a handle on it, impose fines or jail parents of bullies. Is this fair?

Menstruating isn't considered fun by anyone, but having your period while being homeless sucks in its own special way. Learn how you can help women dealing with both homelessness and periods.

Exploring the nuanced aspects of racism in Japan from an Asian's perspective. The difference in treatment towards Caucasian and Asian immigrants is baffling, with the only difference being the colour of our skin.

If those searching for the truth don't trust mainline media outlets, where should they go? This article explains media consolidation in the United States and gives alternative sources to the MSM.

Many claim homelessness is caused by (and only caused by) making stupid, destructive , and completely avoidable choices. This page examines some of those poor choices. Have you ever made any of them?

Opinions matter, especially since this agenda is being promoted by the United Nations which clearly expects the idea to have international appeal. Learn about the CEDAW treaty and share your opinion.

Although the debate over whether cannabis should be legal has gone on for decades, the intensity has increased in recent years. This article lists the pros and cons of legalization.

Why do homeless people seem to avoid using emergency housing shelters? Here are some of the reasons.

A random act of kindness helps someone else and may encourage them to be kind to another person in turn. Here are fifty-two ways to help others every day.

One of the world’s oldest tax havens is Monaco, described by writer W. Somerset Maugham as a “Sunny place for shady people.” Now, the world has 50 or 60 places where people can hide money

Public education might be the last resort for children of color to constructively assimilate into American society, but there is an enormous disjoint looming over America’s educational itinerary.

When it comes sustainability in our world, we need to be concerned about three key areas. The important concepts of environmental, economic, and social sustainability form a basis from which good decisions and actions can be made. Here, I will discuss the three spheres of sustainability and how these interrelated concepts ultimately effect you and society as a whole.

Should school uniforms be abolished? This article looks at school uniform pros and cons and addresses both sides of the school uniform debate.

Board subcommittee votes 4-1 against including protections against discrimination based on gender identity, gender expression, marital status and family status, contravenes Human Rights Code.

Chocolate bars have a dark, often untold story of human trafficking and child slavery. Cocoa plantations on the Ivory Coast use unpaid child labor to harvest the cocoa beans, often employing tactics such as physical abuse by overseers on plantations in West Africa.

Many people already realize the importance that recycling has on our society and way of life. However, if you still need more convincing, here are five big reasons why you need to start recycling today.

Without change, our dependence on petroleum and coal for power could someday lead to society's demise. But why wait for the inevitable when we can enact change now? With a multitude of viable energy sources at our finger tips, we are on the brink of a paradigm shift. Here are nine sources of renewable energy that could potentially change how we power our future.

The symbolism of the Confederate flag is defined by its repellent history, not the belief of its supporters that it has nothing to do with racism, but symbolizes the best in Southern heritage.

When is an unborn baby a person? This debate is thousands of years old. Can the modern age answer the question which the ancients could not? A review of scientific and biblical positions.

This article discusses potential negative effects of social networking. Porter's Five Forces Model is explored as it relates to these effects and recommendations regarding accountability are made.

Honoring veterans shouldn't be a one-day-a-year thing.

Imagine if all the oil yet to be extracted from the ground suddenly disappeared, never to reappear again. How would we cope without the raw material that made the modern world possible. Would be able to find a suitable alternative fuel. Part one looks at what an oil-less world would like during the first year.

A listing of ways just one person can help protect endangered species. Learn ways you can help by starting right in your own backyard or make a difference for animals around the world!

Many deaf and hard of hearing people object to being labeled as “hearing impaired” or having a “hearing impairment.” Surprised? Check out the reasons why.

Climate change is increasingly recognized as being observable today. But if we want to do something about it, how much time do we have to do so? Personal and scientific reflections on this question.

I wish we lived in a world where your sexuality or gender identity didn't matter to anyone, the truth of the matter is, we still have kids and adults who are struggling for acceptance. Coming out matters, even if it's just to yourself.

Who doesn’t like cute widdle wabbits hoping about the landscape? Twenty-three million Australians for a start.

The OK sign is now associated with white supremacy. When and how did that happen?

This article looks at the relative advantages and disadvantages of religion, with a pros and pros and cons list.

Few would believe that a cartoon could play a role in the deaths of thousands of animals, but Disney's "101 Dalmatians" did just that. "Finding Nemo" and "G-Force" had similarly negative effects. Animals in the media are often purchased by families with little idea of what they're truly getting.

Children who were not perfect and considered "feeble-minded" were shut away from society, their families, and everything they knew.

The problem of missing and murdered indigenous women has permeated almost every Native American tribe in the United States. What are families doing to stop it from becoming an epidemic?

With climate change and increase in the use of toxic pesticides, honey bees are disappearing. Colony collapse disorder causing their deaths will affect humans, honey bees vanishing is not a good sign.

The health risks of meat production today can no longer be brushed under the carpet. Find out exactly what you put into your mouth.

Skinheads are one of the most misunderstood and wrongly-labeled groups of people. Learn about what a skinhead really is, where they come from, and what they're all about.

This hub briefly summarizes and analyzes a few aspects of the healthcare system and its achievements in Vietnam.

Have you ever had an encounter with a homeless person and wanted to do more to help? Here are a few things that you can do throughout the year to make a difference.

Learn who the homeless people in this country are and how much our public assistance programs cost. The truth may surprise you.

Simply put, when the Europeans came to America - the Native Americans discovered that Europeans were savages.

We use a huge amount of plastic today. Most of it takes a very long time to degrade and can harm marine life. Some bacteria may be able to break down plastic.

We all want murder rates to come down, but is gun control effective? Statistics and facts on gun crime and gun controls vs crime. You decide.

Journalists can focus on their reader's interests better with online news services. However, many small-town newspapers fill a niche that Internet websites can't touch due to lack of broadband to rural homes.

Modern farming methods rely heavily on the European Honey Bee for pollination, but the honey bee population is in peril and the cause of the problem is not well understood. Modern farming methods do not currently support adequate pollination by native species of bees.

Highlighting differences between UK and USA housing, to show some of the social and cultural differences between Britain and American homes; based on my personal knowledge and perceptions of America.

Learn some of the most common stereotypes, myths, and misconceptions about homeless people in America. Weigh in with your opinions in the comments.

News media encourage readers and viewers to believe statements based primarily in emotion and authoritarianism rather than facts and evidence.

If you're homeless and trying to figure out how to spend a small amount of money to best effect, this list may help. It has also proven useful to charities creating care packages for homeless people.

Some of my opinions as to why so many people in America seem to have no empathy for homeless people despite being mere paychecks away from the circumstance themselves.

Imagine growing up in a town so poisonous - so radioactive - that the Environmental Protection Agency had to destroy it. That is exactly what the EPA did to my friend's childhood home in New Mexico.

Plastic pollution can be dangerous for marine life. Microplastic particles are tiny pieces of debris that may be harmful for animals and for humans as well.

Why do people put down wild animals in captivity while being perfectly fine with domesticated animals in human control? Are domesticated animals really that different from exotic animals?

Six ideas to help end homelessness and an invitation to share your solutions to the problem of so many Americans being homeless. So many are veterans, children, elders, and disabled people.

For more than 20 years now, whenever something awful like a school shooting happens, politicians have been quick to find something to blame. Since the times of Heath High School and Columbine, video games have been one of the quickest targets for politicians, but this is ignorant and miselading.

A formula for bad results.

The truth of the matter is tobacco kills, but quitting the nasty habit also carries a series of long term side effects. If you don’t like being lied to, this is a must read.

We all need to feel seen.

This article suggests a list of the 13 most polluted rivers in the world. Included in the story are what countries are doing to cleanse these filthy waterways.

This article looks at the main arguments for and against in the debate over the question of should corporal in schools be allowed.

Titanic represents one of the biggest boat disasters in history. It also teaches an important lesson about the influence of social class on health and survival. This article describes how the physical structure of the ship itself impacted passengers' chances of survival and how social class continues to play a significant role in people's health outcomes today.

The new Nat Geo Wild program features an exotic pet vet in Deerfield Beach who regularly derides exotic pet owners while collecting checks from them. Florida exotic pet owners, find a new vet.

This article summarizes the history and misdeeds of the Mexican drug cartels. The scope of this international problem is discussed as well, emphasizing its impact on the United States, perhaps the only country powerful enough to stop them.

I am not a celebrity. I am simply a writer with my own ideas, opinions and creative pursuits. Behind my words, you cannot see me, except for a small profile picture in the corner of the screen. If you saw me in the street, you would not recognise...

A two-day experiment conducted by Jane Elliott, a third-grade teacher in Iowa, teaches her third-graders a lifelong lesson on discrimination.