Some people think that individuals today are more dependent on each other. Others believe people have become more independent.
Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
While it is sometimes claimed that our mutual dependence has grown over time, not everyone agrees with this idea, arguing that individuals today have greater independence. Although certain aspects of contemporary life necessitate interdependence, I support the latter view.
On the one hand, it is difficult to deny that our modern lifestyle has made some people heavily reliant on the larger society. Unlike in agrarian societies, where self-sufficiency was more attainable, many people in the industrialized world now depend on the government, charities or other individuals to satisfy their basic need for food. In some countries, those trapped in poverty live on welfare benefits, while in others various grants and donations are their only hope. However, poverty is not unique to modernity – reliance on external aid has existed for millennia, making this argument largely irrelevant in this discussion.
On the contrary, a broader perspective reveals significant advancements in individual agency. Until recently, people with mobility issues such as the elderly and disabled were dependent on others for support. Their health often made them unable to gain employment and earn for themselves, making them a burden to society or their families. In contrast, assistive devices, ranging from state-of-the-art electric wheelchairs to advanced prosthetic limbs, have empowered them to conduct their daily lives and provide for themselves. Furthermore, the end of archaic social barriers, which once subjected women to the authority of men in critical life decisions, has enabled billions of women worldwide to gain an education, pursue a career and make autonomous decisions regarding marriage and family life.
In conclusion, while it is true that many people need some form of financial assistance for their livelihood, this is not a novel phenomenon. Nevertheless, modern technology and progressive social movements offer far greater economic and social independence than ever before.
Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
While it is sometimes claimed that our mutual dependence has grown over time, not everyone agrees with this idea, arguing that individuals today have greater independence. Although certain aspects of contemporary life necessitate interdependence, I support the latter view.
On the one hand, it is difficult to deny that our modern lifestyle has made some people heavily reliant on the larger society. Unlike in agrarian societies, where self-sufficiency was more attainable, many people in the industrialized world now depend on the government, charities or other individuals to satisfy their basic need for food. In some countries, those trapped in poverty live on welfare benefits, while in others various grants and donations are their only hope. However, poverty is not unique to modernity – reliance on external aid has existed for millennia, making this argument largely irrelevant in this discussion.
On the contrary, a broader perspective reveals significant advancements in individual agency. Until recently, people with mobility issues such as the elderly and disabled were dependent on others for support. Their health often made them unable to gain employment and earn for themselves, making them a burden to society or their families. In contrast, assistive devices, ranging from state-of-the-art electric wheelchairs to advanced prosthetic limbs, have empowered them to conduct their daily lives and provide for themselves. Furthermore, the end of archaic social barriers, which once subjected women to the authority of men in critical life decisions, has enabled billions of women worldwide to gain an education, pursue a career and make autonomous decisions regarding marriage and family life.
In conclusion, while it is true that many people need some form of financial assistance for their livelihood, this is not a novel phenomenon. Nevertheless, modern technology and progressive social movements offer far greater economic and social independence than ever before.