Basic HTML Version
. .
8UT INCREASINGLY SERIOUS PROBLEMS DEFY
ECONOMIC INSTABILITY
AND UNEMPLOYMENT
During this century, in the lifetime of many
older persons. the Industrial Revolution
has transformed the workplace from
agricultura! production to mass industrialism,
and changed again toward communications
industries and social services.
Economic booms and depressions every
few years or decades, along with serious
inflation, have created massive insecurity and
unemployment. New technologies throw
many out of work, skilled workers find
themselves unemployable. Job protectionism
sparks threats of trade wars. In many
nations, economic stagnation does not
create enough new jobs for labor entrants.
In numerous nations, massive government
and prívate debt, along with rapid currency–
value swings and high interest rates,
undermines economic growth.
Welfare roles are overburdened . Labor
strikes and conflict cripple industrial
efficiency and produce rippling damages to
other workers and consumers. Many
unemployed in economically disadvantaged
nations migrate, producing intensified racial
hostilities and strained feelings.
MALNUTRITION
AND MASS HUNGER
Until 1950, apart from periodic lamines,
developing nations were virtually
self-sufficient in tood supplies, were even
tood exporters. Between 1900 and 1985
world population tripled.
Today, more than 100 of the world's 150
or so nations are importers of sizable or
major portions of their food needs. Ninety
percent of earth 's annual population
increase are in food-short developing
nations. Around 500 million of earth's
inhabitants are seriously malnourished.
In the 1980s, many African nations
produce less tood !han a decade earlier.
Millions malnourished and starving due not
only to bad weather. but also civil war. tribal
conflict, political corruption, and instability
and lack of emphasis on domestic
agricultura! needs; instead overemphasis on
export of cash crops to repay foreign bank
loans for industrial development.
At
a
time of unsurpassed scientific and technological
progress, mankind's latest knowledge has only
increased the confusion in social values. Man has added
complexity, as we/1 as new problems, to an increasingly
insecure, unsafe world of deteriorating human relationships
and physical environment.
SEXUAL IMMORALITY
Under the erosion of traditional religious
values. family breakdown and purely secular
education blossomed together with
permissiveness in moral and sexual behavior.
Extramarital and homosexual sex are widely
tolerated and accepted. Pornography, X-rated
movies, video tapes and books abound in public
places.
Mill ions believe it is acceptable to kili infants in
abortions. Several sexually transmitted diseases
have become the top reportable communicable
diseases.
FAMILY BREAKDOWN
Oivorce has spiraled in many nations. Between 1900
and 1985 in the U.S., the divorce rate (per 1,000 pop.) increased
700%. Today, one out of three marriages ( 1 out of
2 in many large U.S. cities) is destined to end in divorce or
separation.
lllegitimate births among certain segments of society are over
50% ot births. Single-parent families by the scores of millions are
struggling to cope.
Many children are neglected. Runaways a big problem. Child
sex abuse a scandal. Youth suicide is growing.
DRUGABUSE
Until the end of World War 11, major
drug problems were opium and heroin
addiction in Asia and scattered use
elsewhere. After World War 11 , particularly
in the 1970s, a virtual explosion in drug
abuse- both legal and illicit-occurred.
Alcohol abuse and alcoholism are
rampant in many nations. There is
growing acceptance and use of
marijuana, heroin, cocaine,
hallucinogens, barbiturates, pep pills,
tranquilizers, and in recent years,
extremely dangerous " designer drugs"
are in use. Large areas of several
nations are controlled by drug lords.