From Guest Blogger Angie: Life 101 — Three Environmental Factors Contributing to Society’s Problems
Today’s society has a set of problems that are unique to any generation that came before it. From the silent generation on up through the baby boomers, generation X, and now the millennials, each era had its own social problems to work through.
Here are some environmental factors that contribute to modern society’s problems.
Pollution
Simply put, pollution affects every living organism on Earth. The nature and extent to which it touches the world varies greatly, depending on the living organism in question. There’s no doubting that it directly affects human society in ways that stretch beyond the physical.
Air contamination involves both solid particles and various gases. Unfortunately, many of these pollutants are dangerous carcinogens that put people who breathe them at elevated risk of developing cardiovascular and respiratory conditions, cancer, and even sustaining damage to their reproductive systems. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says birth defects can be triggered by the hundreds of chemicals and other substances that are emitted into the atmosphere every day.
Toxins also settle into plants and water sources, penetrating the soil. Consequently, they’re consumed by people and animals alike. Thankfully, younger demographics make up a huge chunk of society that reject pollution and support the use and development of renewable resources, pushing companies to follow suit.
Processed Foods
Sometime over the course of the last 30 years it became socially acceptable to not be able (or simply refuse) to cook for oneself. In line with that mentality, the food industry began producing products instead food. Cheese has become “pasteurized prepared cheese product,” butter has become “butter spread,” and good old-fashioned vegetables have become relics that some people don’t even know how to prepare.
Though the FDA regulates what manufacturers are permitted to include in their food products, most consumers don’t know how to read the labels anyway. Most don’t know, for instance, that when “cellulose” is listed on the ingredient list, it essentially means they’re eating pulverized wood. It’s also worth mentioning that the human body can’t digest cellulose in the first place, but since it’s a “naturally” derived product, manufacturers are permitted to use it as an additive in processed foods. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. “All natural” doesn’t actually mean anything, nor does “whole wheat,” or “sugar free.”
With obesity and diabetes running rampant through American society, there’s no questioning the fact that what we put into our bodies has a direct impact on our health, our futures, and therefore, our society.
Mental Illness
American culture is riddled with anxiety, depression, and other mental conditions of varying severity. The National Institute of Mental Health reports that about one in four American adults suffers from a diagnosable mental disorder throughout the course of any given year. Some of the most commonly diagnosed mental disorders are:
- Autism spectrum disorders
- Schizophrenia
- Bipolar disorder
- Panic disorder
- Anxiety
- Phobias
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Eating disorders
These mental illnesses and disorders affect the lives of those who suffer from them in profound ways. Social workers can help these individuals find the social, economic, and medical support they need to live long, healthy, and happy lives. Even so, the prejudice and social stigma that comes along with these disorders often prevents people from getting the help they need. This creates a vicious cycle that can only be broken when society changes its views on mental health.
There are countless theories floating around about the causes of society’s problems today. Some stem from international relations and others from a shift in religious views and subsequent parenting and morality issues. Regardless of what’s causing them, modern society has enough problems to deal with, and it’s going to take some major overhauls to make serious change happen. Thanks to developments in renewable energy, widespread knowledge about health and processed foods, and an increasingly open approach to mental health, this generation is moving in the right direction. The question is, will it be too late?
