CQ Researcher is the choice of librarians, researchers, and students seeking original, comprehensive reporting and analysis on the most vital issues shaping our world. Each weekly report offers in-depth, unbiased coverage of a single topic. Written by CQ Press′s staff of experienced reporters, these reports provide up-to-date information on a wide range of social, economic, political, environmental, and international issues.

• Annotated ContentsPrefaceContributorsSOCIAL STRUCTURE, PROCESSES, AND CONTROL1. Celebrity Culture: Are Americans Too Focused on Celebrities? - Howard Altman2. Teaching Values: Do School-Based Programs Violate Parents′ Beliefs? - Sarah Glazer3. Cyber Socializing: Are Internet Sites Like MySpace Potentially Dangerous? - Marcia Clemmitt4. Closing Guantanamo: Can Obama Close the Detention Camp Within One Year? - Kenneth JostINEQUALITY5. Middle-Class Squeeze: Is More Government Aid Needed? - Thomas J. Billitteri6. Debating Hip-Hop: Does Gangsta Rap Harm Black Americans? - Peter Katel7. Gender Pay Gap: Are Women Paid Fairly in the Workplace? - Thomas J. Billitteri8. Women′s Rights: Are Violence and Discrimination Against Women Declining? - Karen FoerstelINSTITUTIONS9. Future of Marriage: Is Traditional Matrimony Going Out of Style? - David Masci10. Student Aid: Will Many Low-Income Students Be Left Out? - Marcia Clemmitt11. Religious Fundamentalism: Does It Lead to Intolerance and Violence? - Brian Beary12. The Obama Presidency: Can Barack Obama Deliver the Change He Promises? - Kenneth Jost and the CQ Researcher Staff13. HPV Vaccine: Should It Be Mandatory for School Girls? - Nellie BristolSOCIAL DYNAMICS14. Declining Birthrates: Will the Trend Worsen Global Economic Woes? - Sarah Glazer15. Rapid Urbanization: Can Cities Cope With Rampant Growth? - Jennifer Weeks16. Reducing Your Carbon Footprint: Can Individual Actions Reduce Global Warming? - Thomas J. Billitteri17. Socially Responsible Investing: Can Investors Do Well by Doing Good? - Thomas J. Billitterri