5 Challenging Social Problems in the United States

1. Obesity

America has one of the highest obesity rates in the world. About a quarter of the 2-5 year olds are overweight or obese and more than 2/3 of the US adults are overweight. In fact according to the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, studies have shown that 13% of the global total live in the United States when only 5% of the world population live there. United States has the highest proportion of obese people.

This is a huge health epidemic. Obesity is affecting all age groups, and across all income. 

The effects of this is huge. Apart from being prone to having heart disease, respiratory problems but it will lead to increase in eating disorders, depression, and in terms of economically - a higher dependence on the healthcare system and health insurance. Healthcare costs will become a huge burden for many families. It will cost the government billions of dollars a year and predicted to rise as the obesity population continues to increase. Productivity in business will also go down as absences due to obesity-related problems go up. 

This is a huge concern as it will impact the future economy and the future generation - mentally, physically, financially, socially and emotionally.

2) Same-sex Marriage

Same-sex marriage has been one of the most heated topics and most searched on the internet at the moment. Not only is it a threat to societal and religious values, but it has been correlated to a decline in fertility rates and have a direct impact on society and its economy. 

The change in the definition of marriage between man and women has been correlated with fewer marriages and fewer birth rates. This is in turn is a great concern for the government because of the ability to maintain the economy - shortage of workers, aging workforce, decrease in demand of goods and services. 

Apart from the negative impacts on the economy, same-sex marriage has caused great conflicts, debates in society. The focus of marriage has shifted its focus from children to what the the adults want. Studies have shown that children are raised best with one mother and one father. With the social norms changing, this will have detrimental effects on the growth and development on the child as well.

3) Poverty 

With American being one of the wealthiest nations, poverty rates are extremely high. Although children may not be suffering from starvation but many families are struggling with the problem of being able to afford healthy food and having to skip meals resulting in malnourishment. The biggest problem is many are employed but still struggle and are unable to pay medical costs, transportation costs, childcare, food and rent. Low wage work and unemployment are major issues with the government. Over these past years, poverty line has not improved and even though creation of jobs seems to be the way out but the prevailing wage is not going to increase unless tax increases as well. More supports are needed in food stamps, food banks healthcare and childcare as well. All these problems are all culminating creating a greater financial burden on the government. The cycle doesn’t seem to end and seem to continually just repeating itself in history. 

4) Education

Quality of education is deteriorating in the United States. The United Staes is spending more money on education than any other country yet the result is not improving. Apart from quality of education and school systems is the racial differences between minorities and White people. A larger percentage of white students are expected to graduate and to excel better at school. Statistics has shown higher drop out rates and higher suspension rates in minorities like Blacks and Hispanics. This is a huge problem as United States are not able to help the majority of its children receive a proper education. 

5) Immigration 

Illegal immigration has been another huge concern. With hopes of better job opportunities and being able to better living standards, many illegally immigrate to the United States. Statistics has shown hat 1/3 of the people are undocumented. 

This has huge impact on the economy due to reduced job opportunities, lower wages for local citizens and a higher costs -  education, healthcare. Another huge impact is security. With a big influx of people moving in, it is hard to keep track of terrorists and drug traffickers as well. Safety is being threatened and government cannot keep track of it.