Julie A. Geary-Bernstein
Western Governors University
Abstract
This paper focuses on the social problem of human trafficking within the United States. The extent in which human trafficking affects the United States in various ways will be discussed. Sociological theory will be used to discuss multiple causes of human trafficking. Primary focus will be on Conflict Theory and how it can explain causes of human trafficking. Keywords: human trafficking, conflict theory
Human Trafficking: Modern Day Slavery
There are many social problems facing the United States today ranging in complexity across many spectrums. In order to be considered a social problem, by definition, the issue must influence and be opposed to by members of society. Human trafficking is thought of by many citizens of the United States to be a foreign social problem. This issue has become a social problem for the United States with statistics showing that 63% of human trafficking victims are U.S. Citizens (Kotrla, 2010, p. 183). Commonly referred to as modern-day slavery, human trafficking takes place all over the world, in almost every country. This is the fastest growing …show more content…
Those victims who are identified/rescued within the United States are eligible for many benefits provided by the United States Government including housing/shelter and temporary or possibly permanent visas regardless if they are U.S. citizens or not. In 2010, Congress funded worldwide efforts to end human trafficking at the cost of 70 million dollars in taxpayer’s money (Department of State, 2010). The United States of America is known as the land of the free. Human trafficking goes against this core value of Americans by denying people freedom in every way possible. These are only two ways in which the extent of human trafficking affects the United States, monetarily and