Anomie

Although America was a confident and optimistic nation in 1917 before the introduction of the two major World Wars and the Vietnam War, this no longer is the case today. Wars have reshaped American history, politically, economically, socially and culturally. Throughout the course of time religious structures have been falling, events such the Great Depression have caused unemployment, divorce and crime rates have skyrocketed and suicide coupled with violence has gained much popularity and acceptance in the news. Many of the rigorous norms once established and followed have been disintegrating, thus providing an avenue for ever increasing chaos with an apparent state of anomie where there are no clear rules to firmly guide society.

Inflations and unemployment in America have been great sources of chaos. The fact that wealth has never been evenly distributed has always caused the rebellion and in some cases retreatism posed by sociologist Robert Merton. Today Bush's presidency has caused the jobs of many people. About 113,000 workers have been cut from payrolls since September of last year. In numerous occasions Bush has said, "The slowdown is real and is affecting too many lives. I want the American people to know we're deeply concerned about the unemployment rates and we intend to do something about it.", yet he has not developed any new plan to stop unemployment or at most decrease it. This presidential attitude in turn has led many to reject the story that society can achieve success and to a greater distrust in the American government. Many have given up goals and efforts to achieve success because they view it as an impractical, impossible, almost imaginary and irrational possibility. Society has lost faith and guide from the government.

Marriage used to be a long-life institution once established between two people. Even in troublesome times, people struggled to remain married for the sake of their children and to prevent the criticism of society. Today, however, this norm has been relaxed with the 700 % increase in divorce that America has seen since the early 1900's. This accepted deviance once created chaotic opposition. However, today it is more common for a marriage to fail. Surprise and admiration are gained if a marriage lasts more than five years. In essence, it could be argued that the relaxation of this norm has created more irresponsibility and selfishness in society leaving children in the midst of a break-up.

Crime rates and violence are subject of debate when discussing the deregulation of norms and the fortification of chaos currently witnessed in America today. Economic and