We can easily point to inequalities, social and economic, but there is still a deepseated belief that, no matter what his wealth or job, each person is fundamentally equal with every other.

2.) Poverty

Poverty is the lack of means to obtain an amount of food, a standard of living accommodation and other goods that seem adequate to a particular society. Causes:

- Old age

- Unsuccessful private enterprise

- A Large family combined with low income

- Unemployment over a long time

It is partly the high general standard that concentrates attention on the poverty and it is possible to produce statistics which suggest that some material things which are commonly regarded as luxuries are within reach of nearly everyone. Among very poor households half are car owners - but some car owners do not have enough to eat!

3.) Maladjustment

The fear of crime in big cities has been a factor which has encouraged many people to move outwards to less troubled areas.

- In relation to the state population, murders have been twice as common in some of southern states, e.g. Illinois

- The most law-abiding parts are on the whole in the farming mid-west and mountain states from Iowa to Idaho

Crime is partly a result of bad material conditions: it is most prevailing among people whose lives are unsatisfactory ( people without a settled home,...) But there are also the contemporary values which television, film and literature show everyone everyday: So physical strength, good looks, ability and readiness to push other people out of the way are qualities which are praised.

- The psychiatrist has become one of the most sought-after advisers

- The number of people who need a way out of their personal problems and pressure grows and so does the number of people who turn to drugs.

4.) Women

- Early American society kept women in a domestic role and there was less scope for female influence.

- Girls' schools developed soon and by the 1860's women were active and influential in the campaign against slavery

- 1920 Women won the right to vote by the constitutional amendment

- Since 1970 new laws have been passed to forbid every kind of discrimination on the ground of sex

- Today, equal pay is required in principle

Vocabulary

to worship - verehren maladjusted - milieugestört to provide with - versorgen narcotics - Rauschmittel to distribute - umverteilen law-abiding - gesetzestreu

affluence - Überfluss sophistication - hoher Entwicklungsstand scheme - Project, Plan suffrage - Wahlrecht

source of information: Peter Bromhead, Life in modern Britain (edition 1981)

K12, 22.05.2000

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