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Issues for Debate in Social Policy
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Issues for Debate in Social Policy
Selections From CQ Researcher

Third Edition


August 2019 | 496 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc
Keeping students up to date on timely policy issues can be challenging given the range of issues, changing administrations, and the volatile political economy. Furthermore, finding readings that are student friendly, accessible, and current can be an even greater challenge. Now CQ Researcher, CQ Press and SAGE have teamed up to provide a unique selection of articles focused on social policy, specifically for courses in Social Welfare Policy and Social Policy. This collection aims to promote in-depth discussion, facilitate further research, and help students formulate their own positions on crucial issues. This volume includes eighteen up-to-date reports by CQ Researcher, an award-winning weekly policy brief that brings complicated issues down to earth. Each report chronicles and analyzes executive, legislative, and judicial activities at all levels of government. This collection was carefully crafted to cover a range of issues from the aging population, to women's rights, the welfare system, the Trump Presidency, and much more. All in all, this reader will help your students become better versed on current policy issues and gain a deeper, more critical perspective of timely and important issues.

 
Annotated Contents
 
Contributor List
 
Preface
 
HEALTH CARE SECTOR
 
1. Health Care: Will the Affordable Care Act Survive?
Notes

 
 
GERONTOLOGY SECTOR
 
2. Aging Population: Can the U.S. Support its Growing Ranks of Elderly?
Should Americans Work longer?

 
Will Spending on Health Care for the Elderly Bankrupt the United States?

 
Will the Young and Old Fight Over Resources?

 
Background

 
Current Situation

 
Outlook

 
Notes

 
 
SAFETY NET SECTOR
 
3. Domestic Poverty: Can Stricter Work Mandates Reduce the Poverty Rate?
Would Stronger Work Requirements for Those Receiving Public Assistance Help Reduce Poverty?

 
Should the Federal Government Increase Housing Subsidies for the Poor?

 
Would Raising the Federal Minimum Wage to $15 an Hour Reduce Poverty?

 
Background

 
Current Situation

 
Outlook

 
Notes

 
 
4. Poverty and Homelessness: Will the Trump Budget Slash Programs for the Needy?
Legislative Action

 
Hunger and Homelessness

 
Local Solutions

 
Notes

 
 
MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE SECTOR
 
5. Loneliness and Social Isolation: Do they Pose a Growing Health Epidemic?
Is the United States Facing an Epidemic of Loneliness?

 
Does Technology Increase Loneliness?

 
Can Federal Policies Help Decrease Loneliness?

 
Background

 
Current Situation

 
Outlook

 
Notes

 
 
6. Opioid Addiction: Will New strategies Be effective?
Federal Actions

 
State Efforts

 
Company Actions

 
Notes

 
 
CHILD AND FAMILY SECTOR
 
7. Foster Care: Can the System Handle Soaring Demand?
Do Officials Remove Children Too Quickly from Homes Where the Parents Abuse Drugs?

 
Will a New Federal Law Improve Foster Care Services?

 
Should Publicly Funded Faith-Based Foster Care and Adoption Groups Be Allowed to Reject Applications from Same-Sex Couples?

 
Background

 
Current Situation

 
Outlook

 
Notes

 
 
EDUCATION SECTOR
 
8. Education Funding: Should States Increase Funding for Public Schools?
Does Higher Spending on Public Education Improve Student Achievement?

 
Is Reforming the Teacher Pay System More Important Than Giving All Teachers Raises?

 
Do Vouchers Erode Public School Funding and Hurt Student Outcomes?

 
Background

 
Current Situation

 
Outlook

 
Notes

 
 
9. Affirmative Action and College Admissions: Should Racial and Ethnic Preferences Continue?
Should Minorities Receive Preferential Treatment in College Admissions?

 
Should Affirmative Action Be Based on Income Rather Than Race or Ethnicity?

 
Does Campus Diversity Improve the Quality of Education for All Students?

 
Background

 
Current Situation

 
Outlook

 
Notes

 
 
IMMIGRATION SECTOR
 
10. Immigration: Will Trump Succeed in Blocking Undocumented Immigrants?
Travel Ban

 
The Wall

 
Limiting Special Visas

 
Undocumented Immigrants

 
Notes

 
 
11. Immigrant Detention: Is the System Too Harsh?
Does Mass Detention Deter Illegal Migration?

 
Is Mass Detention of Undocumented Immigrants Necessary for Public Safety?

 
Should Women and Children Be Detained While Awaiting Deportation?

 
Background

 
Current Situation

 
Outlook

 
Notes

 
 
CRIMINAL JUSTICE SECTOR
 
12. Crime and Policing: Will President Trump’s Policies Reduce Crime?
Notes

 
 
13. For-Profit Prisons: Should Companies Be in the Incarceration Business?
Should Private Prisons Be Banned?

 
Are Private Prisons Less Safe Than Public Prisons?

 
Are Private Prisons More Cost Effective Than Public Prisons?

 
Background

 
Current Situation

 
Outlook

 
Notes

 
 
14. Gun Violence: Have Efforts to Control Firearms Reached a Turning Point?
Are Recent Mass Shootings Increasing the Likelihood of Stronger Gun Control Laws?

 
Should a State’s Concealed-Carry Gun License Be Honored In Every State?

 
Should a Background Check be Required for Every Gun Transfer?

 
Background

 
Current Situation

 
Outlook

 
Notes

 
 
INDIVIDUAL AND GLOBAL RIGHTS
 
15. LGBT Rights: Will the New Supreme Court Nominee Undercut Gay Rights?
Civil Rights

 
Supreme Court

 
Workplace Protections

 
Transgender Issues

 
International Issues

 
Notes

 
 
16. The STEM Gender Gap: Can Science and Tech Attract More Women?
Should Schools Teach STEM Subjects Differently to Help Close the Gender Gap?

 
Are Discrimination and Sexual Harassment the Primary Reasons for the Gender Gap in STEM?

 
Is Increasing the Number of Women in STEM Fields Important?

 
Background

 
Current Situation

 
Outlook

 
Notes

 
 
17. Labor Shortage Debate: Does the Country Need More Workers?
Does a Labor Shortage Really Exist?

 
Do Stagnant Wages Mean the Economy Has a Sufficient Supply of Workers?

 
Should the Government Loosen Immigration Policies to Fill Jobs?

 
Background

 
Current Situation

 
Outlook

 
Notes

 
 
18. Plastic Pollution: Can the Global Mess Be Cleaned Up?
Will China’s Ban on Imported Waste Materials Make Plastic Pollution Worse?

 
Can Increased Recycling Significantly Reduce the Plastic Waste Problem?

 
Is Taxing Plastic Goods an Effective Way to Reduce Plastic Pollution?

 
Background

 
Current Situation

 
Outlook

 
Notes

 
Key features

NEW TO THIS EDITION:

 

  • All 18 selections are brand new and explore some of today’s most vital social policy issues.

KEY FEATURES:

 

  • Pro/con boxes in every report examine two competing sides of a single question to enhance readers’ critical thinking skills.
  • Detailed chronologies put each issue into context.
  • An annotated bibliography and Web resources allow readers to explore topics of interest in more depth.
  • Photos, charts, graphs, and maps clarify key points and enhance visual understanding.

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