Introduction
The modern world is characterized by numerous challenges and opportunities. The new opportunities and challenges have also resulted in the rise of additional issues, which have affected societies. The increase in technological advancements, for instance, has increased and enhanced production, resulting in the expansion of various industries. Nonetheless, these industries have greatly contributed to the increase in gas emissions, gravely impacting the health of the society and that of its citizens. Apart from this, the rapid increase of population in America has resulted in the housing bubble, which has impacted a grave financial crisis. Furthermore, the rise of multiculturalism has led to increased racial tension and gender-based discrimination, which has bridged a further gap between various groups in America. Nonetheless, the enactment of laws and policies with regards to these issues has been productive in the creation of a more stable, healthy, and impartial state.
The Housing Bubble
The housing bubble is one of the primary causes of the financial crisis in America. According to Kitzmann (2012), the increase in the demand for housing made lenders more willing to refinance loan. Similarly, buyers were enthusiastic and able to buy pre-owned houses when the property owners were unable to retain them. Furthermore, the demand for housing resulted in impulsive decision making. American citizens borrowed loans that they undeniably could not pay for. The fall of the demand for housing, which occurred in the fall of 2006, led to a drop in housing charges. As a result, those who had borrowed loans did not have the capacity to refinance their debts or to resell their property. The drop in accommodation costs made lenders reluctant to refinance, impacting a decline in the demand for housing.
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Consequently, property owners were unable to maintain their houses, which resulted in extraordinary sequences of foreclosures. By 2008, housing prices had reduced by eighteen percent, and homeowner equity dropped by three point four trillion dollars (Kitzmann, 2012). Furthermore, individual wealth declined, leading to less spending. The outcomes resulted in a decrease in the flow of cash in American organizations and their suppliers. In addition, the rates of unemployment heightened for four points two to seven point two percent (Kitzmann, 2012). The US employs past policies that led to the financial crisis. A good example of one of these policies is the mortgage interest deduction policy which allows property holders to subtract from their chargeable revenue, the interest that they pay on secured and home-equity mortgages.
The policy was a major cause for the financial crisis since homeowners were left in massive debt and devoid of any significant equity. Nonetheless, the development of the Government sponsored enterprise act, and the community reinvestment act forced the implementation of lenient guaranteeing standards, so as to extend loan access to precarious borrowers. The above policies are just but a few of the many policies in the US that resulted in the financial crisis. The current US financial crisis can be resolved by a transformation in the existing policies, to make them more effective.
Technology
Technology has been extremely beneficial in the American society. Technological advancements have resulted in an augmented productivity of goods and services. When it comes to the medical sector, disruptive technologies have fostered the development of enhanced diagnostic and treatment procedures, which have increased the quality of life in the society. Nonetheless, technology has led to the development of a vast number of processing and manufacturing companies, which have in turn led to the massive release of toxic gases and chemicals, which not only jeopardize the health of individuals in the society but that of the environment as well. As a result, this has contributed immensely to environmental pollution and severe fluctuations in climate such as global warming. The implementation of policies to curb the rates of pollution as a result of technology has been effective in preventing the release of excessive amounts of toxic gases and chemicals into the environment. For instance, The Pollution Prevention Act necessitates the modification of technology as well as production and manufacturing procedures, to reduce the number of toxic substances released into the environment. The act has been beneficial in combating environmental pollution.
Environment
The environment has a major impact on human lives. A person's immediate surrounding may affect the person’s health, activities, as well as the quality of his/her life. The modern American environment is highly polluted due to the increase of various human activities, and new innovation in technology which fosters the release of hazardous gases into the atmosphere. Consequently, the quality of human life has deteriorated. Majority of Americans suffer from various health defects, resulting in premature deaths, or lives characterized by constant visits to the hospital. Lung cancer, as well as other cancer types, has become prevalent in this society, due to the presence of toxic particulates in the atmosphere. The use of policies has been beneficial in making the American environment a more healthy and sustainable one.
The Clean Air Act was a policy that was established in the year 1970. The policy is still active in the modern day and has dramatically reduced the levels of common pollutants such as particles, carbon monoxide ( Ross, Chmiel, & Ferkol, 2012), as well as other toxic gases. The reduction in emissions has significantly enhanced the quality of air that the Americans breathe. The act has transformed the health of the American environment by impacting significant reductions in gas emission. A more sustainable environment can be promoted by the implementation of more effective and strict policies, to aid in the decline of poisonous releases, for the sustainability of a healthier environment.
Multicultural Society
Multiculturalism is a new phenomenon in the contemporary world. The existence of multiple cultures in a single state has resulted in the promotion of a more positive attitude and deeper understanding of various cultures. Consequently, this has fostered effective interaction between diverse people, resulting in a spirit of togetherness and unity. It has also decreased tension and conflict between people of different genders, color, ethnicities, and religions. Nonetheless, multiculturalism has impacted a number of undesirable effects, for instance, increased tension between diverse groups. For instance, between the native Americas and the Asians, due to the fact that the Asians are considered a threat to the Americans and their economy since they are the model minority and the yellow peril.
The issue of superiority and inferiority has become an issue of grave concern in this society. Native Americans are considered superior while marginal groups are considered inferior. As a result, marginal groups have not been fully integrated into the American society, resulting in the isolation of these groups, as well as increased rivalry between them and the rest of the society. Similarly, the attitudes and mindsets of the society with regards to gender roles have not yet been transformed to meet the needs of both genders in America.
Gender discrimination is still rampant in various American organizations. Furthermore, there is still an underrepresentation of women in various senior positions in the company as compared to men. In addition, females are treated with less respect in organizations as compared to men. For instance, female staffs at Uber Inc. have filed many lawsuits against the male supervisors in the company, due to sexual harassment ( Ge, Knittel, MacKenzie, & Zoepf, 2016 ). The lack f prioritization and respect for the rights of the female workers in the company is highly evident and symbolic of the situation in many American organizations.
Equality based and non-discriminatory acts were deficient in the past. Nonetheless, the Equal Act of 2010 was established to promote the access of training and education to people of every age, genders, beliefs, races, and sexual orientation ( Masupe & Parker, 2013 ). Additionally, the law also extends these courtesies to the disabled. The law issues protection to individuals in all aspects of education, work, recruitment and selection, and promotions, among others. The Equality Act of 2010 has been effective in fostering a more impartial society in the state of America. The most effective solution to promote multiculturalism is the transformation of the attitudes of the American society towards diverse races and the female gender. Positive attitudes would be beneficial in creating a more impartial and sustainable society where everyone understands the others unique differences, as opposed to judging them. Consequently, a sense of belonging would be fostered, and unity strengthened.
Conclusion
The contemporary world is composed of numerous challenges, as well as opportunities. Furthermore, it is characterized by a variety of transformations such as the presence of multiple cultures in states, the prevalence of technology use, housing issues, and changes in the environment, which have an impact on the society. Nonetheless, the issues that have emerged due to these aspects have been properly dealt with by the use of various policies and laws. There is, however, a need for stronger policies and laws to be established, for the sake of a better tomorrow.
References
Ge, Y., Knittel, C. R., MacKenzie, D., & Zoepf, S. (2016). Racial and gender discrimination in transportation network companies (No. w22776). National Bureau of Economic Research.
Kitzmann, R., (2012). The Impact of the U.S. Housing Bubble and Crisis on the Process of Urban Sprawl in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area . Research Gate. Retrieved from:
Masupe, T., & Parker, G. (2013). Equality Act 2010: Knowledge, perceptions, and practices of occupational physicians. Occupational medicine , 63 (3), 224-226.
Ross, K., Chmiel, J. F., & Ferkol, T. (2012). The impact of the clean air act. The Journal of Pediatrics , 161 (5), 781-786.
