Recently in Greece there have been a large number of issues
regarding hunger. Children are seen at schools picking through trash cans to
try and find food. One little boy was bent over in pain from hunger. The little
boy had eaten almost nothing while at home. When the boy’s parents were
confronted about this they were forced to admit they had not been able to find
work for months. This family had been living on pasta and ketchup. These kids
are not only having a hard time finding food but their families are having a
hard time surviving in general. This is an occurrence that Greece thought they
would never see. The unemployment rate is at 27%! Unlike in the US, in Greece
they do not have the option of subsidized food.
When I hear this story I can’t help but think about the individualistic
society vs. social contract discussion we had in class on Wednesday. Do people
help other and ultimately become those who need help like the family portrayed
in the story? While this is a large social global problem we are facing I see
two problems here: one- should other step in and help even though they aren’t and
don’t want to have to ask for help? Should people who are more fortunate be
forced to help out or should this be a volunteer basis. Two- the hunger around
the world is growing. This country that was once well established has tons of
kids starving. Their poverty level is almost at that of Africa’s. While at the same time, here in America and
China, Japan, ect we have globalization. We have McDonald's we have obesity. All
of this is happening while children are doubling over in pain in Greece,
Africa, Central America, and many other places. Who decides what the
appropriate thing to do is?
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