Monday, August 11, 2014

CIVIC MENTOR SOCIAL INVENTORY (#4): PROBLEMS OF THE 21ST CENTURY

Revision History
Posted:  11 Aug 14
  • Change #2: 12 Aug / 3:30pm: (1) linked ALL previous list-items to other relevant sites; (2) accumulation of other social issues, new para. 6
  • Change #3: 12 Aug / 4:40pm: All additional items now hyperlinked to supporting articles
  • Change #4: 12 Aug / 5:00pm: (1) Added paragraph 7, "OTHER sources of lists;" (2) Expanded scope to include ALL nations (for now, all smooshed together, but later, separated by country, perhaps)


Beginning to Account For
ALL THE SOCIAL ILLS & REALITIES
THAT PLAGUE US
with a view toward doing something
meaningful about them ALL, where feasible
I do have a plan

Outline

1.  Purpose
2.  Background
3.  Possibly Reasonable Ways An Interested Person Might Handle This List
4.  Things I'm thinking about doing with the list
5.  University of Maryland's LIST OF SOCIAL ISSUES OF THE CENTURY
6.  * ACCUMULATION OF OTHER SOCIAL ISSUES NOT CONTAINED IN paragraph 5 -- Suggestions are encouraged in the "comment box," below this article
7.  OTHER Sources of Lists



1.  Purpose

To present the University of Maryland's fascinating list of "Social Problems of the 21st Century," captured below -- which is being taken very seriously within the Civic Mentor concept.  (It lists 103 items -- more are being added to paragraph 6, as these are identified from other sources)
I thought you should see this now -- as early indication of things to come from this Civic Mentor project.
To begin inventorying * all social ills and unfavorable OR concerning social realities, so we can see, thoroughly, what we're dealing with.   As the items missing from this list come to mind, they will be added to the inventory -- until there's nothing left to add.  
* I'm thinking "ISSUES" is the ultimately right word to use.
To ACCUMULATE additional social issues (in paragraph 6, below) not appearing on the University of Maryland's list. 

RATIONALE

A chief mission element for the whole Civic Mentor concept is to do everything feasible to assist fellow humans in bettering and fulfilling themselves -- so as to significantly help to optimize the level of human well-being, sustainable over the long-term, in this world (i.e. make it the best it can possibly be, all things considered, for as long as possible).

A chief supporting assumption is the acceptance, as true and undeniable that:  Optimal well-being for the species cannot be accomplished unless ALL social ills, misfortunes, issues, concerns (i.e. every single one, as realistic and feasible) are satisfactorily addressed -- on our SMALL planet, for our SMALL species.   Strategic, systematic, methodical approaches tend to be the best ways to accomplish complex tasks -- most thoroughly and reliably. Civic Mentor will strive to employ these tactics, consistently.

The drive to identify ALL ISSUES MUST include looking at ALL nations -- we humans are all in this together; we need to know what they are facing and how they are facing it; we can transfer useful knowledge; we may see where we can help them and they, us; we may better understand how to deal with those nations and peoples; we may enrich any visits there; etc.  "A rising tide lifts ALL boats."




2.  Background

The University of Maryland refers to the items in paragraph 5, below, as "examples," implying to me that there are more that are not yet listed.  It's easy to see that this is so, on inspection of the list.  

As these become recognized, I will add them to the Civic Mentor Inventory (as workload an timing permit), begun in paragraph 6.  I need to study the list more closely -- but it is an excellent basis for eventually -- and perhaps, rapidly -- bringing every discrete societal illness into full view and accountability -- ALL IN ONE CONVENIENT PLACE.  

Then, let's see where we go from there.


3.  Possibly reasonable ways an interested person might handle this list -- such as the person who might be seeking some social causes to adopt -- and who needs a full, logically-linked list to serve as a practical decision-aid -- for a balanced, sensible, personal social-action program.
  1. Make note of the list for future reference
  2. Scan the list to see what's on it -- if any ring "bells" of attention and direct concern
  3. Rank-order the list of social-causes in their order of importance to self, personally.
  4. Discuss the list and selected items with others.
  5. Identify ones on which to be acted now, soon, later, maybe, and never.
  6. Work out an action plan for individual or groups of causes slated for adoption
  7. Take each cause, in priority order, and begin to learn sufficient information to be of some use.
  8. See what's been done so far.
  9. See what's left to be done.
  10. Join with others.
  11. Contribute whatever of use you are able and willing to contribute
  12. Upon completion -- you will be most satisfied that you have overlooked no worthy cause -- which might have been totally appealing -- when thoroughly considering the ones to seriously adopt.
  13. Use the Civic Mentor system -- when it arrives


Just brain-storming -- a more systematic
course of suggested actions will surely develop.




    4.  Things I'm thinking about doing with the list 

    In addition to tasks in paragraph 3, above, I might:
    1. DONE!! Start LINKING Wikipedia or other articles to each problem listed below -- so we can plunge deeply, right from the list -- (Boy, that's a big job! Maybe a little at a time will suffice -- but I'm going to NEED them linked, this way, soon -- and this measure ought to be extremely useful to others -- linking has started, along with adding other sources of such lists)
    2. Incorporate every single social ill or misfortune as a sub-category on the Civic Mentor "to-do" list -- as things to be shepherded through society by someone, including myself, who sees the information and takes it for action.
    3. Endeavor to populate each category with sufficient meaningful information and linkages to formulate sound bases for possible courses of action.
    4. Gather in one place web-links to all serious participants in the solution-drive, for each issue
    5. Gather in one place the "best practices," procedures, theories, strategies, and all other fruits of human knowledge that have been developed and tested -- presented in a way so as to simplify, rather than unduly complicate, the very busy lives of those able and willing to give support.
    6. Develop systems which users can employ to help them develop, keep track of, execute in a timely and efficient fashion -- whatever they have resolved to do to help settle the issue.
    7. Develop systems which make it convenient for users to discuss and store new wisdom for appropriate use.
    8. Watch and see what happens next -- act accordingly.


    My guess, for the time being




    5.  LIST OF SOCIAL PROBLEMS OF THE 21st CENTURY
    1. Each and every item will eventually be a topic of a Civic Mentor Bulletin (CMB) , at least
    2. I have linked EVERY ITEM on this ENTIRE LIST to relevant sites, Google Searches, CMB's
    3. Any additions to this list (paragraph 5) of my making are marked by *
    4. New categories are accumulated in paragraph 6
    5. Eventually, EVERYTHING will be consolidated in a single database
    6. CMB = a Civic Mentor Bulletin exists and has been linked

    According to the University of Maryland, here are examples of social problems.
    1. Abortion
    2. Affirmative Action
    3. Affordable Care Act (Obamacare)
    4. Ageism / Age Discrimination
    5. Airport Screening Procedures
    6. Airport Security
    7. Alcoholism
    8. Animal Rights
    9. Anorexia Nervosa
    10. Anti-Muslim Discrimination , (*Islamophobia)
    11. Binge Drinking
    12. Birth Control
    13. Bulimia Nervosa
    14. Bullying CMB, (Google link), (*see "Cyber-Bullying " in paragraph 6)
    15. Campus Crime
    16. Capital Punishment / Death Penalty
    17. Chemical Weapons
    18. Child Labor
    19. Classism
    20. Cloning
    21. Colorisim
    22. Corporate Downsizing
    23. Date Rape
    24. Disaster Relief
    25. Domestic Violence CMB, (Google search)
    26. Dream Act
    27. Drinking and Driving
    28. Driving While Black
    29. Drug Abuse / Drug Addiction
    30. Eating Disorders
    31. Embryonic Stem Cell Research
    32. Environmental Pollution
    33. Environmental Racism
    34. Equal Pay
    35. Euthanasia / Assisted Suicide
    36. Felony Disenfranchisement
    37. Gang Violence
    38. Gay Rights
    39. Genetic Engineering
    40. Gentrification
    41. Global Warming
    42. Gun Control
    43. Gun Rights
    44. Hate Crimes
    45. Hazing
    46. Health Care Disparities
    47. Health Care Reform
    48. HIV / AIDS
    49. Home Forclosures
    50. Homelessness
    51. Honor Killings
    52. Human Trafficking
    53. Hunger
    54. Identity Theft
    55. Illegal Immigration
    56. Legalization of Marijuana
    57. Legalization of Prostitution
    58. Mall Shootings
    59. Mass Murder
    60. Meth Labs (Methamphetamine Laboratories)
    61. Minimum Wage
    62. NRA
    63. National Rifle Association
    64. Obamacare (Affordable Care Act)
    65. Obesity
    66. Organ and Body Donation
    67. Outsourcing Jobs
    68. Photobombs
    69. Pornography
    70. Poverty
    71. Prayer in Schools
    72. Racial Disparities in Health Care
    73. Racial Disparities in Sentencing
    74. Racial Profiling
    75. Racism
    76. Rape
    77. Retail Profiling
    78. Recycling and Conservation
    79. Right to Work
    80. Same-Sex Marriage
    81. Sex Trade
    82. Sexism
    83. Sexual Harassment
    84. Sexting
    85. Shopping While Black
    86. Single Parenting
    87. Smoking / Tobacco Use
    88. Social Networking and Privacy
    89. Stand Your Ground Laws
    90. Steroid Use in Sports
    91. Stereotyping
    92. Sweat Shops
    93. Teen Pregnancy
    94. Terrorism 
    95. Texting While Driving
    96. Texting While Walking
    97. Unemployment
    98. Union Busting
    99. Violence in Schools
    100. Violence in Music Videos
    101. Violence in Video Games
    102. Voter Disenfranchisement
    103. Voting Rights Restrictions


    6.  ACCUMULATION OF OTHER SOCIAL ISSUES NOT ON THE ABOVE LIST


    1. After-School Activities
    2. CIVIC PROCEDURES: CRIMINAL-ATTACK READINESS!CMB,
    3. Cyber-Bullying -- On-line Assaults CMB, 
    4. Scams, Frauds, Cons, Hoaxes CMB Search,
    5. Telephone Calls -- unwanted CMB Telemarketers, CMB Microsoft Scam


    7.  OTHER SOURCES OF LISTS


    Google Search Pages

    American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT)
    American Counseling Associations (ACA)
    American Psychological Association (APA)
    Contemporary Social Issues List
    List of Social ills
    List of Social Issues for African-Americans
    List of Social Issues for Asian-Americans
    List of Social Issues for Boys
    List of Socia Issues for Disabled Humans
    List of Social Issues for Girls
    List of Social Issues for Kids
    List of Social Issues for Men
    List of Social Issues for Mentally Ill
    List of Social Issues for Physically Ill
    List of Social Issues for Senior Adults
    List of Social Issues for Women
    List of Social Issues in Children's Literature
    List of Social Ills in the World
    List of Social Justice Issues
    List of Social Issues to Write About
    National Association of Social Workers (NASW)
    National Organization of Human Services (NOHS)
    Social Concerns of Today
    Social Ills and Problems (About.com search page)
    Societal Ills
    Social Issues Book List
    Social Issues List - 2013
    Social Issues List - 2014
    Teenage Social Issues
    Others




    David Nelson


    All Original Content © 2014, The MENTOR Enterprises / ELMS, All Rights Reserved. BUT, I hereby waive those rights, to this extent: You may freely copy and pass this along -- and are urged to do so -- as long as it's all done free of charge, unchanged, you include this statement, AND you inform me as to how it is being used -- at YOUR convenience but, hopefully soonest.
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