Identifying Social Change: Addressing Three Topics

Should Child Welfare Regulations be Changed?

I chose this topic because child welfare regulations uphold the standards of safety and health for children nationally. The topic should appeal to parents, social workers, and politicians concerned for future generations. Because of the issues of rapidly expanding foster care placement and the rigid adherence to a rigid, “one size fits all” program, child welfare regulations should be updated to lessen the strain on foster systems and to better serve individual children in need, lessening the likelihood of early childhood trauma when separated from their parents(Gainsborough, 2010; Golden, 2009).

Should Unemployment Benefits and Regulations be Changed?

The matter of unemployment is important because of the historic highs of unemployment facing the country today. Those concerned with matters of class, upward mobility, minimum wage, and social welfare should be the targets of this topic. Because of the hypocritical demand that the unemployed work to receive their benefits, and the backlash affecting the economy negatively, unemployment regulations must be changed to better allow citizens to cope with their time unemployed until they find more work (Berger, 2007; Moss, 2006).

Should Banks be allowed to Charge Fees for Using Debit Cards?

I chose this topic because paper money is becoming obsolete, and the use of Debit cards is a more convenient choice. This topic should reach anyone who regularly uses Debit cards, economists, and especially people for whom the fees are a financial burden. Because of the high presence of avoidable debt, and the unlikelihood of fraud occurring to justify merchant’s fees, banks should not be allowed to charge fees for debit card use (Stango and Zinman, 2009; Wang, 2010).

References

Berger, J. (2007). “There is tragedy on both sides of the layoffs:” Privatization and the urban crisis in Baltimore. International labor and working-class history, 71(01), 29-49.

Gainsborough, J. F. (2010). Scandalous politics child welfare policy in the States. Washington, D.C.: Georgetown University Press.

Golden, O. (2009). Reforming child welfare. Washington, D.C.: Urban Institute Press.

Moss, J. (2006). 'Mutual obligation' and 'New Deal': Illegitimate and unjustified? Ethical theory and moral practice, 9(1), 87-104. Retrieved October 11, 2013, from the JSTOR database.

Stango, V., & Zinman, J. (2009). What do consumers really pay on their checking and credit card accounts? Explicit, implicit, and avoidable costs. The American Economic Review, 99(2), 424-429. Retrieved October 10, 2013, from the JSTOR database.

Wang, Z. (2010). Regulating debit cards: The case of ad valorem fees. Economic Review, First Quarter, Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City.