Discussion of Global Problems of Humanity - Article Example

Global Issues I. Feminists and Fundamentalists by Kavita Ramdas In the unfolding of history, feminism is one of the most influential concepts. In the article under study, there are different points that are presented. One focus is the fact that feminism is viewed as a movement and a concept for global good. For that matter, it had been promoted on a global scale and in an extensive manner even to the point of obsession. Although this is the case, as to any other issues in the society, the potential and utility of the concept of feminism is now being questioned (Ramdas 99). This can be attributed to the fact that not one concept can be absolutely beneficial. In related to feminism, there are different issues that are associated. One of the issues being brought about by feminism is social insecurity which can be related to the questioning of conventional ways due to the changes being pushed through in favor of the equal rights for the female members of the society. As a response, some groups view that fundamentalist point of view can be one of the most important solutions to be able to limit and to achieve control in the seemingly unrestrained feminist view (p.99-101). Another issue is the respect for the norms and customs in a particular country, locality or cultural group. Feminism can define the equal rights of the female population with reference to the male population. This can be a limitless view that is needed to be contained to avoid misconceptions in specifically if applied in a group with unique cultural perspective. What can be unfair for an outsider can be humane for the members of the society (p.101-102). Another view is referred to feminism as a vanguard to prevent the taking over of the fundamentalists. It can then be considered that the two concepts conflicts each other and at some point can achieve balance to prevent the rule of either of the two. Fundamentalism can cause reversion of the superiority of the male thus can disregard the struggles of the people for equal gender rights (p.102). In the choice between the feminists and fundamentalists, the main basis that can be presented to answer the question is the needs of the people. But it is important to remember that culture is dynamic, it is continuously changing (p.102-103). For that matter, the balance between the concepts is important rather than trying to alienate one idea. II. The Century Ahead by Chris Wilson The article discusses the state of human population in the century ahead. Based on the author, the rapid increase in population from 1.5 billion to more than 6 billion is an indicator that that human population is at its young cohort age. For that matter, the most feasible perspective is the decline of the world population in the century ahead due to the aging of the population (Wilson 5). Although theoretically aging can cause the decline of population, the development of new technologies had led to the complication of the population equation. In the absence of reasons and factors for aging the population, the history of human existence along with the assumption of reproduction should have reached a population to occupy the solar system. This is the scenario in the absence of factors that can decrease the number of people such as wars, disease, etc. Prior to the development of modern medicine, diseases can cause significant decrease in the population, but this view is significantly questionable in the present level of medical knowledge (p.5-6). Through the course of human history, the trends of the components of population changes. One is the decrease in mortality due to medicine. Another is the decrease in fertility due to the use of contraceptives and other methods to lessen the number of children or delay the period of having children. Observations through the past decades can be considered inconsistent and erratic (p.6). If the rules of population ecology can be the basis, the stability can be achieved in the near future. This is theoretically feasible but the main factor is the incorporation of technology which differentiate human with other organisms. For that matter, the human population equation would significantly differ (p.7) Based on the article, the most significant observations that can be achieved in the century ahead regarding the population is the decrease of population of developed country due to aging and contraception while having high life expectancy due to the advanced medical practices and knowledge. On the other hand, the countries with less advance medical practices will have lower life expectancy but high fertility (p.8). These opposing observations can have significant effects to the human population of the century ahead. III. Africas Restless Youth by Michelle Gavin Africa is seen by the world as one of the problematic regions on the basis of the multitude of problems that are affecting the people. From diseases such as HIV and AIDS to political strife, it is a challenge not to describe the younger members of the population as restless youth (Gavin 220). The main focus of the article is the discussion of the possible future of the youth of Africa. With the issue on population and health concerns, one of the questions is whether the youth can grow up in health to be able to initiate the possible change in the region. Although change is needed, the youth of Africa can encounter difficulties on the basis of conventional traditions in different aspects of the society. One example is the promotion of political change which can be hindered by the older generation (p.221-222). Such scenario is hard in nations without famine and war, thus, it can be considered more challenging in a place such as Africa. Through the years of growing up and development, the youth in Africa had been exposed to the problems. They had dreamed of the solutions. If given a chance they can initiate change. There are groups and advocacies that help empower the youth in Africa. They can educate and help the young Africans to realize their dream. Although this is the case, it is important to recognize the fact that small changes made by outsiders to empower the youth can lead to negative effect because only the people in Africa themselves can understand their own culture and their own needs (p.223). It is important to recognize that to be able to make a change every aspects of the society are needed to be considered. These are the social, political, economic and religious aspects. In a very volatile environment wherein issues can result to war and war can lead to more hostile and unhealthy environment, the possibility of the youth not pursuing any change, can also be a strong possibility. IV. Still Hungry by Per Pinstrup-Anderson and Fuzhi Cheng Hunger is yet another issue affecting a significant portion of the human population. In a simple equation, if every human being can sufficiently produce his or her own consumption of food then there is an absence of hunger. As the society develops and becomes more complex, there is division of labor and specialization of roles and jobs for increase production which means efficiency. If the main role of the theories of production is to feed the whole population, then hunger should not exist. But based on the article one eighth of the world’s population has insufficient access to food resources (Pinstrup-Anderson & Cheng 96). There are different perceived causes of hunger. One is the unequal access to food resources due to the failure to distribute production equally to the target coverage of production. If the food resource is for the whole continent or region, the production should be sufficient and accessible. The intertwined problems of overpopulation and other social issues in developing countries can also be responsible to the percentage of hungry people in such regions (p.99-100). To resolve the problem, different projects are undertaken. These projects are targeted to educate and empower the people. Once they are aware, they can improve their own means of livelihood. One example is going back to practicing agriculture instead of choosing an urban yet poor lifestyle (p.100-103). Great achievements can start through small beginnings, thus, cooperation can still be considered as an effective solution to different social problems such as hunger and malnutrition. Works Cited: Gavin, Michelle. “Africa’s Restless Youth.” Current History (May 2007): 220-226. Pinstrup-Andersen, Per and Fuzhi Cheng. “Still Hungry.” Scientific American (September 2007): 96-103. Ramdas, Kavita. “Feminists and Fundamentalists.” Current History (March 2006): 99-104. Wilson, Chris. “The Century Ahead.” Dœdalus (Winter 2006): 5-8 Read More