Ch+34+Social


 * Social Changes During the Age of Globalization **

** Socio-Economics ** The age of globalization increased the importance of being well educated and having talents, as opposed to the 1970’s and 80’s. In 2000, the median annual income of a person without a high school education was $21 K, only a high school education: 27 K, four year college degree: 43 K, and advanced degree: 55 K. With the great economic boom came an abundance that was reaped by those talented enough to profit from the areas of booming growth. (This, of course, meaning that the rich who can afford education are getting richer). But despite of all of that, African Americans prospered in America during globalization. Between the thirty years of the African Americans equal rights movement and 1992 half of the African American population was now middle class/white collar workers. Differences between black and white professionals diminished substantially. For more information see also Chapter 32 The Mobilization of the Minorities.

** America **** Getting Old ** After decades of steady growth, the nations birthrate began to decline in the 70’s and stayed low all the way up on through the age of globalization. 1n 1970 there were 18.4 births for every thousand people. By 2003 that number became 14. The population of America that is over 65 went from 8 to 13 from 1970 to 2000. The median age had also gone up by 8.1 in this time period. This meant an increase in nation wide healthcare, causing an increase in prices that continue to be an issue in politics today. See also []

For another interesting topic relating to social changes during the age of globalization, see also Chapter 32-The Youth Culture.

In 2004 34 million Americans were born outside of America. The immigration reform act in 1965 eliminated quotas based on national origin; from then on, newcomers from regions, other then Latin America, were generally admitted on a first come first serve basis. In 1965, 90 % of the immigrants that came to the U.S. were from Europe. In the 80’s only 10 percent were from Europe. By the end of the twentieth century, the American population had gone from 90 % to 80% European as compared to a half century before. Latin Americans consisted of one third of the legal immigrants to the U.S. after 1965. Asians were also a big part of immigration to America. For more information see also Assimilation and Exclusion.
 * [[image:http://www.hoboes.com/library/graphics/mimsy/prohibido.jpg width="438" height="409" align="left"]]Immigration **

The Drug War was an attempt to reduce the illegal drug trade. This initiative includes a set of drug policies of the United States that are intended to discourage the production, distribution, and consumption of psychoactive drugs. []. All of this was caused by an enormous demand for cocaine that led to an enormous business in illegal drug dealing. In the late 80’s drugs had become less popular in the middle class, but the poor remained under the influence of illegal drugs.
 * [[image:http://ispystrangers.files.wordpress.com/2009/07/cocaine.jpg width="445" height="257" align="right"]]Drugs **

For better understanding of Aids, see []. Homosexuals were the first American victims, but in the early 1980’s the homosexual communities began to take pre-emptive measures to avoid AIDS. Heterosexuals were the next target, after using contaminated needles, they then had sex and spread the virus to partners. In 2002 870,000 Americans had become infected while 502,000 had died from it.
 * Aids **

By the 1980’s abortion was the most common surgical procedure in America. The “Right to Life” movement was gaining strength amongst religious groups. However, in Webster v. Reproductive health services in 1989, the court upheld a new Missouri law that forbade the use of federal funds to perform abortion, but the court did not overturn Roe Vs. Wade. To understand the Pro-choice movement you must first go read Chapter 32- The New Feminism. I’m serious, go read it. Now that you’ve read that go to 19th Amendment. The “Pro-Choice” gained support by displaying the topic as a women’s right. “Pro-Choice” was also a movement that was a continuation of women’s rights activists hard work to give women the “right to choose”.
 * [[image:http://southparkstudios-intl.mtvnimages.com/shared/sps/images/shows/southpark/vertical_video/import/season_08/sp_0814_07_v6.jpg width="385" height="287" align="right"]]Pro-Choice vs. Pro-life **

Sources include:

American History by Alan Brinkley

[]

[]

[]

[]

[]

and of course: []