The declining presence of the "Young American" - a demographic reality, present and future

Article Abstract:

In a January 1982 editorial published in the American Journal of Psychotherapy, it was pointed out that a significant decline in the number of children under 15 years of age occurred between 1970 and 1980. This group shrunk by 11.5 percent, while the population of those 65 years of age and older rose 27.9 percent during the same period. The trend is expected to continue for the next 25 years and will have an impact on social, economic, and political forces in this country. "Young Americans", individuals between 14 and 24 years old, made up more than 20 percent of the population in 1980, but by 2050, it is projected that only 12.7 percent of the population will be young Americans. One of the implications of this phenomenon will be fewer individuals entering the labor force. This will increase hiring competition and decreases in unemployment among young Americans are expected to occur. The limited work force will necessitate higher education levels than the current American public education system is now providing. Presently, 30 to 60 million dollars is spent annually by business and industry in remedial education for workers, skills that should have been acquired in the classroom. For several decades education in this country has been neglected. In the 20- to 24-year-old age group, 17 percent of men and 14 percent of women do not have high school diplomas. It is ironic that less than 20 years ago, zero population growth was much discussed in this country. Now it appears that efforts should be made to encourage young people to have more children. Many young Americans are delaying marriage; the average age of first marriages for men is currently 25.9 years, compared with 23.6 years only five years ago. The cultural and socioeconomic pressures that will result from this deficit of young people will directly affect the stresses that will be felt by the society as a whole. These demographic factors will have an important effect on the health care system, especially in the area of mental health. The importance of addressing the interrelations of these factors and the social dynamics, rather than approaching psychotherapeutic treatment from a strictly individual basis, is emphasized. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Young adults, Demographic aspects, Education, Population

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The political and economic changes in central and eastern Europe: possible macro-psychosociologic implications

Article Abstract:

It is important to understand the relationships between biological, psychological, and sociological influences in order to be able to provide optimal mental health care. However, little research has been done to examine these relationships, especially those between psychological welfare at the individual level and large-scale societal forces such as the political and economic changes that appear to be taking place in central and eastern Europe. It has been observed that the types of psychological illnesses that are most prevalent within a society are a reflection of the organization of the society itself. For example, in agricultural societies, histrionic neurosis is common, while in more industrialized societies, with conditions of materialism and mechanization, obsessive-compulsive disorders are more usual. Considering the impending collapse of the communist economic system in Europe, what are the implications of such a drastic change for the general psychology of the populace? A number of new realities will come into effect, among them will be increased shortages, unemployment, loss of purchasing power, inflation, and the necessity of competition in the workplace. In addition, old hostilities between nations and races that have been kept at bay under a centralized government will likely reemerge, and the suppressed Church will again reassert its preeminence. In the coming decade, eastern Europe will provide an opportunity to examine the relationships between macro and micropsychosociologic forces. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Psychological aspects, Eastern Europe, Political aspects, Culture, Personality and culture, Communism, Communism and culture, Personality (Psychology), Europe, Eastern

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Let the debate begin: status of intravenous drug abusers with AIDS

Article Abstract:

AIDS has been considered one of the great plagues of the 20th century. There is no known cure, nor is one in sight, and HIV-infected (human immunodeficiency virus) individuals have the potential to infect others for the rest of their lives, regardless of whether they develop AIDS themselves. Considering the fatal consequences of the disease, have we faced our social responsibility to eradicate a preventable illness? In spite of general efforts in education and prevention, there still exists a great deal of public confusion and even misinformation. While it seems the number of new AIDS cases among homosexuals is leveling off, the same is not true for the growing number of intravenous drug abusers (IVDA), who are primarily responsible for the spread of AIDS into the heterosexual community. Perhaps it is time to consider stricter approaches to controlling the spread of the disease. Debate should begin concerning the possibility of placing IVDAs in quarantine, either until there is a cure for addiction or a cure for AIDS. In this way, they would no longer be in a position to infect other members of the society, the rate of new infection would decrease, and the disease would most likely abate. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Behavior, Ethical aspects, Public health, Drug abuse, AIDS (Disease), AIDS virus carriers, HIV carriers

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