Issues for Debate in Social Policy
Selections From CQ Researcher

Second Edition

CQ Researcher

Other Titles in:
Criminology & Criminal Justice | Public Policy & Public Administration | Social Policy

464 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc

This collection of non-partisan reports focuses on 18 hot-button social policy issues written by award-winning CQ Researcher journalists. As an annual that comes together just months before publication, the volume is as current as possible. And because it’s CQ Researcher, the social policy reports are expertly researched and written, showing all sides of an issue. Chapters follow a consistent organization, exploring three issue questions, then offering background, current context, and a look ahead, as well as featuring a pro/con debate box. All issues include a chronology, bibliography, photos, charts, and figures.

PREFACE

1. Women and Work

Are women better off today than they were 50 years ago?

Are women limiting themselves?

Should workplaces become more accommodating for women?

Background

Current Situation

Outlook

Notes

Bibliography

2. International Adoption

Should international adoptions be promoted?

Has the Hague Convention improved the international adoption process?

Can the decline in international adoptions be reversed?

Background

Current Situation

Outlook

Notes

Bibliography

3. Child Poverty

Should Congress expand welfare funding?

Are poor children now in elementary school a lost generation?

Is single motherhood a bigger cause of child poverty than the low-wage economy?

Background

Current Situation

Outlook

Notes

Bibliography

4. Home Schooling

Should governments oversee home schooling more strictly?

Is home schooling academically superior to public schooling?

Can home schooling help the public school system?

Background

Current Situation

Outlook

Notes

Bibliography

5. Tea Party Movement

Does the Tea Party represent only a narrow segment of the population?

Will the Tea Party movement reshape the Republican Party?

Does the Tea Party attract conspiracy theorists?

Background

Current Situation

Outlook

Update

Notes

Bibliography

6. Climate Change

Are catastrophic climate change impacts inevitable?

Is climate engineering a good idea?

Should the United States adopt a carbon tax?

Background

Current Situation

Outlook

Notes

Bibliography

7. Gay Rights

Are governments and society more receptive to gay rights?

Does a backlash threaten advances made by gays?

Should the United Nations and other international bodies be promoting gay rights?

Background

Current Situation

Outlook

Notes

Bibliography

8. Homeless Students

Are federal programs to assist homeless students working?

Are school systems doing enough to help homeless students?

Do homeless students have more academic troubles than other disadvantaged students?

Background

Current Situation

Outlook

Notes

Bibliography

9. Caring for Veterans

Is the VA benefits system broken beyond repair?

Is the VA adjusting to the needs of 21st-century combat and technology?

Is the VA improving rapidly enough?

Background

Current Situation

Outlook

Notes

Bibliography

10. Government Spending

Is too much being spent on mandatory programs?

Is too much being spent on Social Security and Medicare?

Is too much being spent on discretionary programs?

Background

Current Situation

Outlook

Notes

Bibliography

11. Minimum Wage

Would raising the federal minimum wage mean job losses?

Would raising the federal minimum wage reduce poverty?

Would raising the federal minimum wage help the economy?

Background

Current Situation

Outlook

Notes

Bibliography

12. Assessing the New Health Care Law

Should the health care law be repealed?

Will Americans be better off because of the health care law?

Will the health care law cost too much?

Background

Current Situation

Outlook

Notes

Bibliography

13. Aging Population

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

Bibliography

14. Gun Control

Would a ban on assault weapons reduce gun violence?

Would mandatory background checks of all gun buyers keep guns away from criminals and other dangerous people?

Do state laws allowing citizens to carry concealed weapons make communities safer?

Background

Current Situation

Outlook

Notes

Bibliography

15. Mental Health Policy

Should states make it easier to force the mentally ill into treatment?

Does the medical profession define mental illness too broadly?

Do insurers treat mental and physical health equally?

Background

Current Situation

Outlook

Notes

Bibliography

16. Domestic Violence

Should violent partners be arrested and prosecuted against a victim’s wishes?

Do batterer intervention programs work?

Can health care practitioners effectively screen and counsel victims of domestic violence?

Background

Current Situation

Outlook

Notes

Bibliography

17. Border Security

Has the border security buildup made the United States more secure?

Is it possible to “seal” the U.S. borders?

Is the United States paying enough attention to security at its ports of entry, Canadian border and coasts?

Background

Current Situation

Outlook

Notes

Bibliography

18. Assissted Suicide

Do the terminally ill have a right to choose when to end their lives?

Does permitting assisted suicide lead to abuse?

Does the Hippocratic Oath ethics code prevent doctors from helping patients die?

Background

Current Situation

Outlook

Notes

Bibliography

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CQ Researcher

CQ Researcher is the choice of librarians, researchers, and students seeking original, comprehensive reporting and analysis on the most vital issues shaping our world. Each weekly report offers in-depth, unbiased coverage of a single topic. Written by CQ Press's staff of experienced reporters, these reports provide up-to-date information on a wide range of social, economic, political, environmental, and international issues. More About Author

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