Nuclear Anxiety
Part of the At Issue series
For many, nuclear anxiety is closely related to the Cold War between the U.S. and U.S.S.R. Following the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in World War II, the devastating potential of these weapons was all too clear, which led to significant anxiety among civilians, politicians, and military personnel over their use. Though the Cold War ended in 1991, anxieties surrounding nuclear armament remain, and the players involved in these nuclear standoffs have changed over recent decades. Your readers will explore the history and present status of nuclear weaponry, along with its social, political, and health impacts.
The Role of Religion in Public Policy
Part of the At Issue series
Provide your readers with this essential guidebook about Islam and its role in society. As of 2015, approximately 1.8 billion people identified as Muslim, 24 percent of the global population. Islam's adherents are found throughout the world, but some question whether its values and practices are at odds with those of Western nations, with particular concerns about Muslim extremism and its connection to terrorism. This has prompted attempts to control or even prevent Muslims from entering Western countries. As the global Muslim population continues to rise and immigration increases, questions about the role of Islam and its adherents in society have become increasingly urgent.
What Are the Jobs of the Future?
Part of the At Issue series
The rise of robot automation in the automobile manufacturing industry struck fear into many a laborer's heart, as it was equated with human job and career loss. A Ball State University 2015 study found 88 percent of U.S. job loss was due to robots or homegrown factors to reduce factories' need for human labor. The International Federation of Robotics, however reported that between 2010 and 2015, the U.S. automotive sector installed 135,000 robots, but hired 230,000 human employees. So while technology advances, will it replace us in our current jobs, or create new ones for us? Is Data Scientist the most promising job of the future, or is that all techno-hype? Are our office environments going to be replaced by the off-site work-at-home or freelance model? This book compiles essays and works from eyewitness accounts, governmental views, scientific analysis, and newspapers to give your reader the forecast of jobs to come. Salient facts are pulled out from the text and repeated, making it easy for students to compile details for research and report writing.
Guns and Crime
Part of the At Issue series
Do guns contribute to or prevent crime? Is gun ownership a right or a privilege? Would Americans be safer without guns? This is a compendium of opinions on the issue of guns and crime answering these questions and more, including whether more stringent gun control would increase or decrease violence. Readers see both sides to relating issues, such as gun control, individual rights, its impact on children, and assault weapon bans.
Gender Politics
Part of the At Issue series
It is somewhat astounding that a gender gap continues to exist today in the United States and worldwide. Girls and women face educational roadblocks, economic disparity, threats to their health and safety, and biased laws. How can such treatment of the world's mothers, sisters, wives, and daughters be permitted? This enlightening anthology presents a range of diverse viewpoints about the gender divide between men and women. Readers will learn the effects that culture and gender constructs have on this gap, and why it is an issue that concerns both women and men.
Populism in the Digital Age
Part of the At Issue series
The development of social media platforms has allowed a new wave of populism to accelerate rapidly. Tweets, Facebook shares, and viral memes get information to ordinary citizens quickly and directly, without the influence of authorities, and often without the benefit of research and facts. Is this democracy in its purest form or mindless transmission of fake news and irresponsible reporting? What is the result of digital populism, and what can be done to use it for the good of the people? This resource contains viewpoints that will awaken readers to the value of critical thinking skills.
When Is Free Speech Hate Speech?
Part of the At Issue series
Free speech is guaranteed under the First Amendment. Although it may hurt and offend, hate speech is still free, under most circumstances. But what happens when institutions like universities adopt policies prohibiting offensive speech? Do such policies cause more harm than good? Should measures be taken to curb threatening or insulting comments? Or does that amount to little more than censorship? Is our quest to be polite and politically correct curtailing opportunities to express, learn, and grow? When does free speech become criminally threatening? These questions and more are thoughtfully examined in this important resource.
Does the Internet Increase Anxiety?
Part of the At Issue series
This book explores the new phenomena of anxiety surrounding the Internet, which has developed with the explosion of social media use. Mobile-devise separation anxiety, digital overload, and activity tracking are a selection of topics discussed.
Pipelines and Politics
Part of the At Issue series
Fossil fuels are a valuable commodity at the forefront of national and international politics. Pipelines can create jobs and economic growth, not to mention delivering a commodity to people who need it. What happens when there is conflict about the land through which a pipeline travels? Such conflicts can lead to protests, stoppages, and even war. Readers of this comprehensive volume, which explores the topic from a multitude of angles, will learn how a simple pipeline can have enormous geopolitical ramifications.
What Should We Eat?
Part of the At Issue series
Gluten, red meat, fish, insects: all things we do or don't eat, but could. Should we? This book explores how best to sustain ourselves, from organic food to fast food. Readers are treated to both sides of current dietary views on how humans should be eating for health and longevity.
Celebrities in Politics
Part of the At Issue series
From campaigning for politicians, to speaking out on political issues, to running for public office, celebrities around the world have long played an active role in politics. Their presence in the public sphere often helps them make this leap, but is the fact that we recognize their names and faces enough to make them trustworthy political figures? The diverse viewpoints in this volume explore what role celebrities should play in politics, discuss the phenomenon of making the transition from celebrity to politician, and investigate the place of contemporary media culture in this pattern.
Wellness Culture
Part of the At Issue series
Wellness culture promises a reprieve from the stress of long workdays, restrictive dieting, and punishing exercises through providing the alternative of a balanced lifestyle that simply focuses on feeling good. However, the reality of wellness culture is more complicated. While some assert that it successfully promotes well-being, others argue that it is simply a way of rebranding the dieting and exercise regimens that already existed, building an industry around the products and services that allegedly promote wellness. This volume clarifies the nebulous concept of "wellness" and explores how culture, business, and health intersect to create today's wellness culture.
Policing in America
Part of the At Issue series
Police officers are responsible for maintaining law and order to ensure everyone's safety and well-being. In doing so, they often put their lives on the line, making it a dangerous and challenging profession. In contemporary America, police forces are criticized for disproportionately targeting people of color, offering indemnity to the small percentage of police officers that act unlawfully or otherwise irresponsibly, and using unnecessarily brutal policing practices. The viewpoints in this volume will allow readers to become more familiar with all sides of policing in America through careful examination of relevant facts and opinions.
The Opioid Crisis
Part of the At Issue series
Opioids are pain relievers that include legal drugs like morphine, fentanyl, and oxycodone and illegal drugs like heroin. In 2017, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services declared the opioid epidemic a public health crisis after 42,249 people in the United States died of opioid overdoses in 2016. Opioid prescription has been on the rise since the 1990s, when pharmaceutical companies asserted that the pain relievers were not addictive, though the tragic consequences have proven otherwise. This volume explores the history of the opioid crisis and solutions that have been proposed to fight this increasingly deadly epidemic.
Wrongful Conviction and Exoneration
Part of the At Issue series
Since 1989, there have been over 2,200 exonerations in the United States. These have resulted from a number of factors, including the discovery of new evidence, perjury, false identification, and bad forensic evidence. Even when an individual is exonerated, is it possible to compensate them for their loss of time and money? This volume looks at the issue from varying perspectives, exploring causes of wrongful convictions, ways to increase exonerations for those who were unjustly imprisoned, strategies to decrease the number of wrongful convictions going forward, and appropriate compensation for those who have lost years of their lives.
Athlete Activism
Part of the At Issue series
While Colin Kaepernick's 2016 protests reignited the debate surrounding athletes and political activism, the relationship between the two is a longstanding tradition. The athletic field has long been a site for protests against racism, hosting key events
Sexual Consent
Part of the At Issue series
For many years, "no means no" served as the standard for whether sexual consent is granted, but valid concerns have called for an expansion of this standard. Factors that could prevent someone from rejecting an unwanted advance include coercion and intoxication, making the concept of verbal consent muddy. The debate over whether this standard should be replaced and what should replace it has brought forth various possible solutions, with some arguing that only enthusiastic verbal consent will do, and others asserting that this expectation is unrealistic. Factors like age, positions of trust and authority, and mental and emotional conditions and disabilities also factor into the discussion. The well-balanced articles found here will provide your readers with an intelligent understanding of this topic.
Vaccination
Part of the At Issue series
Give your readers a comprehensive resource that will allow them to form intelligent opinions on a perennial, hot-button topic. Since the smallpox vaccine was invented in 1796, vaccination has played an essential role in eradicating a number of diseases, including polio, measles, tetanus, and smallpox. Despite its effectiveness at preventing disease outbreaks, vaccination has been met with resistance. It has on rare occasions caused patients to become injured or ill, encouraging some to deduce that they are not worth the risk. Questions about whether vaccines are linked to autism also abound. While universal vaccination would help to eliminate diseases, the question of whether it violates individual liberty merits consideration. The prospective future of vaccination is also discussed.
Public Outrage and Protest
Part of the At Issue series
The United States has had an active history of public protest since colonial times, with the Boston Tea Party serving as an emblematic example to this day. Protest in the United States is often associated with its zenith in the 1960s, but demonstrations of public outrage continue to play a major role in contemporary America, with notable recent examples ranging from the Women's March to Black Lives Matter protests. Through this volume's dynamic viewpoints, readers will gain a better understanding of the history of public protest, its differing manifestations, and its efficacy in promoting political and social change.
Male Privilege
Part of the At Issue series
Male privilege refers to the sociological concept that men are automatically granted certain privileges and advantages in politics, society, and the workplace based entirely on their gender. Feminists and others concerned with perceived gender inequality hope to challenge the preconceived values and notions that enable male privilege and the inherently patriarchal nature of society. The viewpoints in this volume address the definition and history of male privilege, offer differing perspectives on whether it exists and how it may influence society, and propose solutions to help reduce gender inequality.
The Death Penalty
Part of the At Issue series
Is capital punishment morally justified? Although the issue generates strong opinions, there are no easy answers when it comes to taking the life of a human being. Supporters of the death penalty believe it deters law-breaking and is the only punishment strong enough for horrific crimes such as child murder and genocide. Opponents argue that it violates human rights and point to its finality in the face of judicial system error and unfairness. This resource presents a fascinating progression of current viewpoints that reflect the many facets of the death penalty debate.
Part of the At Issue series
Nowhere is the gun control debate more heated than in the United States. Gun control advocates argue for tighter restrictions on purchasing and licensing in the hopes of reducing incidents of shootings. Gun owners fear that their guns will be taken away, eliminating their ability to protect their families. Carrying a concealed handgun is legal in every state, and polls shows that the majority of Americans support conceal and carry. The viewpoints in this volume attempt to answer tough questions, such as "Do concealed handguns deter or increase crime?" and "Do the protections stipulated in the Second Amendment cover today's gun owners?"
Campus Sexual Violence
Part of the At Issue series
Sexual assault on the campuses of universities and private schools appears to be on the rise. Alcohol and fraternities are easy targets, but the issue is much more complicated. Despite attempts made by administrators to define consent clearly, it can be a legal gray area. Students condemned by a school's excessively broad definition of sexual assault can be branded rapists long after graduation. Victims must face their attackers on campus because administrators prefer to keep incidents out of the hands of law enforcement. Through balanced viewpoints, this powerful anthology addresses the complexities of an issue that has important social repercussions.
Superfoods
Part of the At Issue series
We are what we eat. What does eating superfoods do for us? Superfoods are nutrient-rich foods considered to be especially beneficial for health and well-being. They are rich in antioxidants, polyphenols, vitamins, and minerals. Eating them may reduce the risk of chronic disease and prolong life. Readers will be intrigued to learn that people who eat more superfoods are healthier and thinner than those who don't. This book examines various superfoods like kale and quinoa. It also discusses the impact that superfoods may have on the environment. It examines juicing and health, creating smart young readers who will make smart choices about their nutrition.
Can Diets Be Harmful?
Part of the At Issue series
Low-carb, paleo, gluten-free, and fad diets come and go. Which ones are harmless, and which should be avoided by adults and children? Editor Amy Francis pries the lid off the confusing issue of what we should and should not be eating for good health, by assembling ten interesting essays that support both sides to the debate.
Foodborne Outbreaks
Part of the At Issue series
This book explores issues related to foodborne outbreaks. It covers the progress made toward reducing foodborne outbreaks. It examines funding for the Federal Food Safety Modernization Act. Readers will examine foodborne outbreaks and the global food system, the risks of consuming imported food, and food suppliers and safety among other issues.
Trial by Internet
Part of the At Issue series
The relative anonymity the Internet provides allows us to assert our knowledge like a professor, show off our seemingly perfect lives, and judge like we're presiding over a court of law. The problem with this relatively new phenomenon is that we often make snap judgments about other people's actions or statements without knowing all of the facts, and without giving others the benefit of the doubt. This volume dives deep into the realities of the Internet age: Do we become different people when we're on the Internet? What responsibility do we have in our treatment of others in this new society? Is it our place to be virtual judge and jury?
The Ethics of WikiLeaks
Part of the At Issue series
What is Wikileaks and how does it work? Wikileaks aims to expose secrets and make available important, and often classified, information to the public. The organization's commitment to encouraging and protecting whistleblowers and journalists is seen by many to be a heroic fight for free speech and government transparency. But at what point does the First Amendment matter more than security and diplomacy? Is the organization's agenda really as pure as it purports? Through reading a variety of authoritative viewpoints on the topic, readers will be encouraged to make sense of this ethical dilemma.
How Valuable is a College Degree?
Part of the At Issue series
This book explores issues related to the value of a college degree. It covers topics such as a college degree as an investment. It examines college degrees and if having one prepares people for today's jobs. It looks at college degrees and the U.S. economy, college education as a right, and alternatives to a college degree.
The Right to a Living Wage
Part of the At Issue series
With the disappearance of well-paying jobs and the increasing cost of living, it's becoming more and more difficult to stay afloat in the United States. Workers who earn the minimum wage often can't afford the most basic needs. In response, more than 100 U.S. cities have issued living wage ordinances, requiring payments that allow workers to afford food, clothing, shelter, utilities, and healthcare. It may seem obvious that everyone wins with a living wage. But does paying out a living wage help or harm the economy? Should corporations be forced to pay them? What is society's responsibility to its workers?
Mob Rule or the Wisdom of the Crowd?
Part of the At Issue series
One of the tenets of democracy is that everyone has a voice in decision making and that the decisions made are what the majority wants. Many argue that wisdom of the crowd prevails in democracies, but are political decisions actually reached by a clear consensus, or does angry factionalism prevent this? Does irrational mob rule cause people to gang together and lash out against the opposition? Are the majority of citizens satisfied with the political situation? This volume explores whether political organization is possible without the force of mob rule, as well as how contemporary political events fit into this debate.
Reproductive Rights
Part of the At Issue series
There has been a neat divide in the United States and elsewhere between the "pro-choice" and "pro-life" camps. Reproductive rights are more expansive than the abortion debate. Access to affordable health services is a fundamental right, yet women, who are subject to discrimination, poverty, and violence at a higher rate than men, are at risk for losing access to screenings, maternal care, and contraception. Does the government have the right to legislate women's health? This close examination provides perspectives from all sides to help readers understand what is at stake.
What Is the Impact of Twitter?
Part of the At Issue series
The experience is probably still too fresh for deep analysis, but will History tell the story that Donald Trump's success in his road to the White House was stimulated by his frequent use of Twitter? Is Twitter transforming not just our social landscape, but political landscape too? How has the use of a communication tool, limited to140 characters or less, become a globally recognized dispenser of news, facts, alternative facts, and a moral compass for our society? This book compiles compelling essays and works from eyewitness accounts, governmental views, scientific analysis, and newspapers to give your readers the big picture about Twitter and its importance. Readers will be given both sides, for and against, on topics such as whether Twitter should be used for news reporting, whether the psychology behind it is healthy, and whether it will become profitable. Facts that are salient to both sides of the story are copied from the text and highlighted so readers can use them for report writing, research, or forming opinions based on relevant information.
Sexting
Part of the At Issue series
Technology has made so many things possible, including sending romantic messages to someone else via text. Sexting is just a new form of communication that continues to serve our need to tell one another things, but sometimes this can go horribly wrong, especially being of a sexual nature. This book debates the issue of sexting, touching on such topics as the rise of sexting among teens and adults, if it is hurtful to teens, and whether or not sexting is a criminal offense.
Violent Video Games
Part of the At Issue series
While organizations such as the American Psychological Association release statements that research supports a link between violent video game use and an increase in aggressive behavior, independent studies (such as one by Whitney DeCamp), show little or no relationship between the two. Those who believe that there are no significant links, caution researchers to avoid compiling evidence 'in a vacuum.' This sets the stage for a very hot debate, especially amongst any of your readers who love violent video games. A variety of narratives are compiled through eyewitness accounts, governmental views, scientific analysis, and newspaper accounts, so readers can decide for themselves how they feel about this issue. Important facts are pulled out from the main text and highlighted so that readers can isolate details for their research or report writing.
Civil Disobedience
Part of the At Issue series
Civil disobedience, the refusal to obey certain laws, is a method of protest famously articulated by philosopher and writer Henry David Thoreau in his 1849 essay "Civil Disobedience." Thoreau believed that protest became a moral obligation when laws collided with conscience. Since then, civil disobedience has been employed as a form of rebellion around the world. But is there a place for civil disobedience in democratic societies? When is civil disobedience justifiable? Is violence ever called for? Furthermore, how effective is civil disobedience?
Are Graphic Music Lyrics Harmful?
Part of the At Issue series
This book explores issues related to graphic music lyrics. It covers topics such as intent as a standard, violent lyrics and aggression, and the effects of violent music lyrics. It examines whether sexual music harms children and women. It also discusses "Bro Country" music, and whether it is harmful.
Troll Factories
Russia's Web Brigades
Part of the At Issue series
Many Americans became aware of Russia's web brigades during the 2016 presidential election, during which allegations of Russian interference came to light. However, Russia's history of online meddling extends back to the early 2000s and far beyond just the United States. This volume explores the little known history of Russia's troll factories and the role they have played in various political movements and events, as well as the factors that enabled this interference and the possible means of combatting it.
Presentism
Reexamining Historical Figures Through Today's Lens
Part of the At Issue series
While death is a universal experience, the traditions that surround it differ from culture to culture. How should the body of the deceased be laid to rest? What should be done with his or her belongings? How can a person's legacy live on through traditions and keepsakes? This volume explores practices around the world, addressing the practical and spiritual considerations that come with death and encouraging readers to keep an open mind toward the rituals and beliefs of other cultures and turn a critical eye toward their own.
Should the U.S. Close Its Borders?
Part of the At Issue series
The Statue of Liberty is a global symbol, forever tied to the poem by Emma Lazarus, in which Lady Liberty beckons and welcomes all who seek freedom from oppression. While the feelings behind this sentiment are obvious, the politics around whether a country can take in unlimited numbers of persons are not. Now more than ever, America's politics on border and immigration control are being hotly debated. This volume gathers eyewitness accounts, governmental views, scientific analysis, and newspaper accounts about border control so that your readers can seek answers in one source. Readers will learn about the impact of increased border control and enforcement, and they will decide for themselves whether it is effective. Pull quotes, of the most important facts, are placed throughout the texts to help readers track the most salient things to consider in crafting their opinion or research.
Genocide
Part of the At Issue series
In 1948, the United Nations established the Genocide Convention to legally define genocide as actions intended to destroy a particular group of people based on race, religion, ethnicity, and other defining characteristics. The goal was to prevent and punish future acts of genocide, but a number of mass killings have followed since its establishment, and in some situations whether these executions qualify as genocides is surprisingly unclear. The viewpoints in this volume explore what genocide is and isn't, and provide historical and contemporary examples of genocide. Readers will examine potential political and social solutions to prevent future genocides.
Money Laundering
Part of the At Issue series
When one thinks of money laundering, the first thing that might come to mind is its connection to organized crime, with gangs and drug cartels hiding away large amounts of illegally obtained cash. However, many other groups and individuals also partake in money laundering, including white-collar criminals, terrorists, and even politicians. The viewpoints in this book examine what money laundering is and how it occurs, what domestic and international efforts are in place to fight it, and how technology both aids and complicates these efforts.
Political Corruption
Part of the At Issue series
It would seem logical that once a home is vacuumed, swept, and dusted, someone with a dust allergy would feel better. It's actually the opposite! Cleaning disturbs dust particles and it can make allergy sufferers cough, wheeze, and itch. So what do you do when we all live with dust around us? This book guides readers through why people have dust allergies and how to deal with these allergies, as well as other allergies these sufferers may have. Full-color photographs give up-close views of dust to complement the age-appropriate text.
Food Security
Part of the At Issue series
For a number of reasons, the global food supply is not as stable as it has been historically. The global population continues to grow, while catastrophic weather events like floods and droughts have an increasingly detrimental effect on crops around the world. Various political factors also impact food security, including violent conflicts within and between countries, trade wars and tariffs, and contentious decisions regarding which crops to subsidize. The viewpoints in this volume explore the causes of food insecurity around the world while also presenting potential solutions that could stabilize food supply at a local and global level.
The Politicization of The Supreme Court
Part of the At Issue series
As the most powerful judiciary body in the U.S., the Supreme Court is expected to uphold Constitutional values while remaining insulated from influence by political agendas. In recent years, however, some have perceived the Supreme Court as becoming increasingly politicized, with some labeling the 2018 appointment of Justice Kavanaugh a pro-conservative political maneuver. Despite these recent concerns, there are also numerous historical examples of judicial activism. This volume discusses the Supreme Court's politicization across history, examines whether it is realistic or useful to expect it to be insulated from politics, and evaluates possible means of depoliticizing the court.
COVID-19 and Other Pandemics
Part of the At Issue series
From the Black Death of the fourteenth century to more recent Ebola and SARS and the ongoing HIV/AIDS crisis, pandemics and disease outbreaks have devastated societies, wiped out significant portions of populations, and necessitated political, social, and scientific changes to address these public health catastrophes. When the COVID-19 virus effectively brought the world to its knees in 2020, it became clear that whatever scientists and policymakers had learned from historical pandemics wasn't enough. Journalists, politicians, medical professionals, and other experts from a range of fields weigh in on how pandemics happen and evaluate the potential means of controlling them.
Open Borders
Part of the At Issue series
The term "open borders" refers to a policy of allowing free movement between countries without restrictions or border control. In an era characterized by the Brexit referendum and the Trump administration's policy of restricting immigration in the U.S., the prospect of borders being open may seem improbable. A number of politicians, policymakers, economists, and citizens assert that referendums and restrictions are the best way to address the economic and social issues that the international community faces today. This volume helps readers examine the issue of open borders from a variety of angles, examining its economic, social, political, moral, and legal aspects.
America's Infrastructure
Part of the At Issue series
Engineers argue that inadequate maintenance of roads, bridges, airports, waterways, and other critical aspects of infrastructure along with underinvestment have created an infrastructure crisis in the United States. Many politicians agree with this claim and are attempting to take action. However, we are faced with the issue of which projects are most essential and how to fund them. Is the state of America's infrastructure that dire compared to the rest of the world? Are these efforts to improve it a cynical ploy from politicians to gain attention and ensure reelection? This volume considers the many perspectives of this pressing issue.