In Summary: Dominating and Hidden Factors--SOCIAL

In terms of social movements in the present, some DOMINATING FACTORS are:

-Public Education in the US is under scrutiny for allegedly falling behind the rest of the developed world academically, particularly in the important subject areas of math and science.

-Despite a slight drop in interest during the peak of the economic crisis, consumers are steadily returning to ideals of living in an environmentally responsible way.

-The great health care debate of 2009! The legislation that passes in relation to health care could dramatically change the American Landscape.

-The continued quest for marriage equality. 2009 brought us the trials and tribulations of Proposition 8 in California, the Miss California/Perez Hilton incident, and a handful of states passing equal marriage laws or bills that give more equal rights to same-sex couples involved in domestic partnerships. On a more personal level, there is a continually increasing rate of acceptance/tolerance of homosexuality/LGBT individuals by society at large.


...and some HIDDEN FACTORS are:

-Higher Education is less accessible with the recession going on; fewer can afford the cost of a four-year university. Many are opting to begin at community colleges (is it possible that the new TV show "Community" on NBC was born partially out of this trend? Perhaps!)

-Health care controversy and Obama's big spending/big government expansion have sparked something in many Americans who question the President's motives and actions. First, there were "tea parties" protesting overall tax increases, then we saw animated town hall meetings nationwide when congress came home for their August recess. On all sides of the issue, Americans haven't been as involved in the democratic process as they are right now in years. People are uncertain about a number of things, and they're waking up and asking questions; seeking reassurance.

-Many foreigners are returning to their homelands, where there are excellent job opportunities waiting for them. Known as"reverse immigration", and it will not only affect demographics, it could worsen the current economic issues.