Social Issues Part 2

Below is the comparison of Satire III and ancient Rome's social issues compared to modern United States' social issues.

1. Healthcare
"but nowhere is the effort harder than in Rome, where you must pay a big rent for a wretched lodging, a big sum to fill the bellies of your slaves, and buy a frugal dinner for yourself. You are ashamed to dine off delf"
"Most sick people here in Rome perish for want of sleep, the illness itself having been produced by food lying undigested on a fevered stomach. For what sleep is possible in a lodging? Who but the wealthy get sleep in Rome? There lies the root of the disorder"
This parallels the issue of healthcare in the fact that people have issues about sharing their wealth with the less fortunate so that they can have equal healthcare. This parallels because it talks about paying for things of others and for self.

2. Legalization of Marijuana
"Yet however reckless the fellow may be, however hot with wine and young blood, he gives a wide berth to one whose scarlet cloak and long retinue of attendants, with torches and brass lamps in their hands, bid him keep his distance."
This parallels the idea that legalization of Marijuana is an issue. This is talking about wine or alcohol being an issue in Rome.

3. Obesity
This is unique to our society because it seems to come up with the excess absorption of food which seems to only have really becoming a problem with the increase of fast food opportunities during the 20th century.

4. Abortion
This is unique to our society because abortion in ancient Rome wasn't as big of an issue. Now, it seems like there are more people either wanting to get it done or more people who believe it is morally wrong. In ancient Rome it wasn't illegal but with the spread of Christianity, punishment for abortion spread.

5. Same Sex Marriage
This is unique to our society because homosexual marriages didn't happen in ancient Rome. Ancient Roman males, if they had same sex partners, they were there for entertainment or slavery There isn't as much mentioned about female same sex partners. So people had homosexual partners but they didn't marry them in ancient Rome. Now people want to legalize same sex marriage throughout the U.S. and the world.

U.S. Social Problems

What are the five most challenging social problems facing the United States today?

In no particular order, in my opinion, these are the five more challenging social problems facing the United States today:

1. Same Sex Marriage
Those in the gay community and outside agree that this is a huge social problem. Homosexuals want to get married and the rest of the United States either agrees that they should be allowed to do this or believes it is morally wrong and demeaning of what marriage should be.

2. Healthcare
Many citizens of the United States either agree or disagree with the passing of the Affordable Health Care Act which will allow affordable health care to all of it's citizens. This is also known as Obama Care.

3. Obesity
It seems that the United States is getting fatter and fatter. Some believe that there should be more enforcement in schools and other public areas about regulation of foods so that the community can keep their weight under control. Many United States leaders push for healthier eating and lifestyle choices to keep obesity under control.

4. Use and Legalization of Marijuana

Many states have already passed the law allowing medical Marijuana but more states have also legalized the recreational use of Marijuana. This is concerning many citizens because of it's abuse and misuse as a substance.

5. Abortion 

The issue about whether or not abortion be made legal and whether or not it is morally right or wrong is still a main social issue in the United States. Many believe that a woman should have the choice to whether or not to abort a child and other believe that abortion is morally wrong.

Golden Age

What makes a Golden Age? What aspects of Roman society under Augustus would constitute a Golden Age? What time period of American history would constitute its Golden Age? Why?

     The "Golden Age" of a society is often defined or described by a period of economic prosperity, harmony, stability, and peace. A Golden Age is the first stage of the Age of Man which describes this period of success and incorruption.

     In Rome there was a definite period that could be described like this. Roman society under Augustus has been agreed upon by scholars to be the Golden Age of Rome. Art under Augustus was more idealized. This was shown by how the sculptures were designed in a way to show ideally how a person at the time should look and aspire to be. This in part, constituted a Golden Age in Rome. Augustus also brought back the Ludi Seculares games and as part of these games, they made sacrifices to the sun god Apollo. Worship to the god Apollo signifies that it was a period of a Golden Age during Augustus’ rule. Under Augustus's reign, he subdued the proud and ruled the land in peace. As a result of Augustus’ successful rule, the prosperity in Rome continued on for almost five centuries.

     There is a time period in American history that could be considered its Golden Age. In my opinion, this was the period shortly after World War II when there was economic prosperity throughout the United States. It lasted from the mid- 1940s to the early 1970s. The reason for this was; after the war, there was much needed improvement in United States economics so there were bills passed and steps taken to improve the economy. These efforts after the war worked so in turn, many people had increased income, there were more educated workers, and there was societal peace throughout the U.S. which spilled into other countries. This economic growth was distributed throughout all classes of people and that is why it could be considered a Golden Age for the United States.