Juvenal's Satire III
The first most challenging social problem in the United States is the unemployment.
"Codrus possessed a bed too small for the dwarf Procula, a sideboard adorned by six pipkins, with a small drinking cup, and a recumbent Chiron below, and an old chest containing Greek books whose divine lays were being gnawed by unlettered mice. Poor Codrus had nothing, it is true: but he lost that nothing, which was his all; and the last straw in his heap of misery is this, that though he is destitute and begging for a bite, no one will help him with a meal, no one offer him lodging or shelter." The effect of an unemployment seen in one's living conditions. Although this is not the only evidence of poverty, because the kind of poverty we deal with in America is a little different. Most people suffer from poverty because of unemployment therefore struggling with food and living conditions. 

The second social problem that we see across the United States is obesity.
"yes, at a single meal from their many fine large and antique tables they devour whole fortunes. Ere long no parasites will be left! Who can bear to see luxury so mean? What a huge gullet to have a whole boar—an animal created for conviviality—served up to it! But you will soon pay for it, my friend, when you take off your clothes, and with distended stomach carry your peacock into the bath undigested! " (satire II)Obesity is caused due to bad lifestyle and diet. In this quote it compares the wealthy to parasites - who consume anything. Their stomachs are described as having peacocks in them. Obesity in a sense was not so much of a health problem as much as it was a sign of over-indulgence, greed, corruption - everything juvenal would associate with the wealthy.

The third social problem is the recent discussion over legalizing same sex marriage.
"By degrees you will be welcomed by those who in their homes put long fillets round their brows, swathe themselves with necklaces, and propitiate the Bona Dea with the stomach of a porker and a huge bowl of wine, though by an evil usage the Goddess warns off all women from entering the door; none but males may approach her altar.[15] "Away with you! profane women" is the cry; "no booming horn, no she-minstrels here!" Such were the secret torchlight orgies with which the Baptae[16] wearied the Cecropian[17] Cotytto. One prolongs his eyebrows with some damp soot staining the edge of a needle, and lifts up his blinking eyes to be painted; another drinks out of an obscenely-shaped glass, and ties up his long locks in a gilded net; he is clothed in blue checks, or smooth-faced green; the attendant swears by Juno like his master. Another holds in his hand a mirror like that carried by the effeminate Otho: a trophy of the Auruncan Actor,[18] in which he gazed at his own image in full armour when he was just ready to give the order to advance--a thing notable and novel in the annals of our time, a mirror among the kit of Civil War! It needed, in truth, a mighty general to slay Galba, and keep his own skin"
Men are now dressing and acting more "feminine", which is a sign of gender inversion. Same sex relationships and marriages do stem from the controversy over the what roles of woman and men are and the traditional structure of a family. Likewise, in rome, the gender roles are being challenged in the way they dress.

The fourth social problem is global warming and environmental changesThe works of Juvenal don't talk about the dangers of global warming or environmental effects on the economy of Rome. I doubt that was of major concern during that time. The negative environmental consequences of disasters and bad weather may be seen as signs of the god's disapproval or curses. Weather patterns were very much controlled by the gods, like Juno who enlists the help of Aeolus, who sent mighty winds in hopes to destroy aeneas' ship in the first book of the aeneid. In satire II they do have a quote which does reveal that the wrath of heaven will cause us to weep and the gods could bring upon the people curses if they feel inclined to do so.
"he exiled Marius[15] carouses from the eighth hour of the day and revels in the wrath of Heaven, while you, poor Province, win your cause and weep!"

The fifth social problem is poverty.
 "It is no easy matter, anywhere, for a man to rise when poverty stands in the way of his merits: 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. ""Who but the wealthy get sleep in Rome? There lies the root of the disorder. "Poverty was definitely a big issue back in rome. That is one of the clear reasons why juvenal left rome in the first place. The social gap was very evident and a huge issue. 

Social Problems in the United States

Blog Post 2

What are the five most challenging social problems facing the United States today? Briefly describe each challenge.

The first most challenging social problem in the United States is the unemployment. Since the recession in 2008, the united states is still on the climb back up to recovery. It caused a lot of serious long lasting issues on the economy, finances and government assistance. In January 2016, the overall unemployment rate reported was at 4.9%. However those whom are unemployed long term (for over 6 months) that are not accounted for in this percentage. The pace of economic recovery is slow, which is very frustrating for many people. Lots of people, whom are highly proficient, educated, qualified still struggle to find a job to support themselves and their families.

The second social problem that we see across the United States is obesity. The prevalence of obesity has increased and grown so rapidly over the last decade. In fact 1 in 6 children are considered obese. This obesity epidemic is due to the sedentary lifestyle and unhealthy eating habits that have developed for this particular generation. With the extreme convenience of this age from technology and the easy access to cheap junk food, it is almost inevitable that this epidemic continues to grow and flourish. More people are more aware of the importance of healthy living and many vegan, paleo diets are in trend right now. It is obvious that the increasing figures reflecting heart disease, cancer, health problems are all a result of the natural unhealthy lifestyle this generation have accustomed to. 

The third social problem is the recent discussion over legalizing same sex marriage. The united states supreme court officially legalized same sex marriage in June 2015. Now homosexual couples are able to obtain marriage licenses under the recognition of the law. The shift from traditional heterosexual marriage to now accepting homosexual couples has been a pretty dynamic shift for the united states. Only a few counties in 3 states are still unwilling to recognize this marriage union. It has been a cause of controversy between parties that are arguing for equality and equal protection, versus the social impacts of a having same sex parents on the family. The economic impact of same sex marriage is significant as they are much disadvantaged including healthcare costs, benefits, tax, insurance. As the United States Government face the issues of this recent law, we are seeing a shift in societal values and also of social structure.

The fourth social problem is global warming and environmental changes. The united states and many other countries have been very focused on reducing greenhouse gases, and becoming more “green”. Recently unusual weather patterns across the different states have been a bit more of a concern. Floods, droughts, fires breakouts have not only been affecting the economy but also been threatening to the local people. There is no simply conclusion or consensus on the direct effects of global warming on the economy, but the potential threat to human lives as well as crops and animals will be very significant as it gets worse. 

The fifth social problem is poverty. This is an issue that all governments around the world faces. However even though United states is considered one the wealthiest countries, it still has the highest poverty rates out of any western demographic. The wealth gap between social classes are very significant and very large. Many families, especially ethnic minorities, face basic food insecurity problems, housing, education problems. Although on the surface many people seem anything but poor, but even inside a 3000q ft house, a family could be dealing with unemployment, lack of health insurance, high medical bills therefore going into bankruptcy. Even though the face of hunger and poverty is different here, it doesn’t mean that many hundreds, thousands of people are not faced with the issue of basic survival everyday.