Issues are - in the context of your question - important topics, or perhaps even problems that are up for debate or

discussion. People do not (yet) agree on issues.

Contemporary issues are the issues of this time. For example, global warming was not an issue in the past, but today
it is subject of a big debate (the President of the US has batagellized global warming while many others believe that
the US is responsible for much of it).

Another example is the use of smart phones. This was never an issue, but these days, people are so much with their
phones that they compromise their own safety in traffing, their learning abilities, their sleep patterns and much more.
At least, that is what many believe. It is a contemporary issue because it is currently being debated. Should there be
laws for phone use or is it someone’s own personal decision how to use the phone? A contemporary issue.

Examples of contemporary issues include economic crises, income inequality and climate change. These problems
affect the entire world and have become more pronounced since the beginning of the 21st century.

Choose one of the guides below to find books, reference books, journal articles, and websites on various social
topics.
Remember, the topics presented in this guide are very broad subject areas--entire books are written about them. For
your project, you will need to focus on one or two particular aspects of a topic. See the Define your Topic page for
more information.
FULL ANSWER

Financial crises across the world have had a significant impact on the global economy. The “Great Recession” of the
late 2000s wreaked havoc on the finances of many countries and contributed to massive unemployment rates. While
many economies have made steps toward recovery, the World Economic Forum reported in 2014 that fiscal crises in
key economies are still a significant risk. Many developed economies still struggle, while emerging countries have
seen credit increases, which could lead to further financial crises.

Along with the global financial crisis, income inequality has become a more prominent issue since the start of the 21st
century. The historically stable middle class was particularly affected by the Great Recession, even in highly
developed countries. This lapse in economic stability put greater attention on the financial disparity between the
wealthy elite and the rest of society, particularly in the United States, which has seen income inequality grow steadily
since the 1970s.

Climate change poses various threats to global stability, including water shortages, crop failures and hazardous
weather. While many countries have taken steps to combat climate change, greenhouse gas emissions are still a
major problem, particularly in developing countries.

 Abortion
 Art, Music, & Popular Culture
 Crime
 Digital Technology & the Internet
 Drug Legalization & War on Drugs
 Environmental Issues
 Gender Studies & Sex Roles
 Global Warming
 Immigration
 Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Studies
 Poverty
 Race & Ethnicity
 Sports
 Terrorism
 Violence in the Media