MY ULTRA GENERAL AISTE

It is true to say that the society we have today is complex, multifaceted, and, at times, unequal.

Is fíor a rá go bhfuil an tsochaí atá againn inniu ann casta, ilghnéitheach agus, uaireanta, míchothrom.

Progress has been made, without a doubt – in technology, medicine, and human rights – but still, major problems remain ahead of us.

Tá dul chun cinn déanta, gan dabht – sa teicneolaíocht, sa leigheas, agus i gcearta an duine – ach fós féin, tá fadhbanna móra fós romhainn.

Between inequality, mental health issues, academic pressure and the power of social media, there are challenges that cannot be ignored.

Idir éagothroime, fadhbanna meabhairshláinte, brú acadúil agus cumhacht na meán sóisialta, tá dúshláin nach féidir neamhaird a dhéanamh díobh.

According to a Eurostat study (2023), over 10% of people in Ireland are living below economic equality, with greater equality issues among people from poorer backgrounds.

De réir staidéir ó Eurostat (2023), tá níos mó ná 10% de dhaoine in Éirinn ag maireachtáil faoi bhun an chomhionannais eacnamaíoch, agus tá fadhbanna comhionannais níos mó i measc daoine ó chúlraí níos boichte.

In this essay I will discuss some of these problems and provide insight into the weaknesses and strengths of modern society.

San aiste seo, pléifidh mé cuid de na fadhbanna seo agus tabharfaidh mé léargas ar laigí agus láidreachtaí na sochaí nua-aimseartha

One of the biggest issues is the inequality that can be seen in every corner of society.

Ceann de na fadhbanna is mó ná an éagothroime atá le feiceáil i ngach cúinne den tsochaí.

The number of homeless people continues to rise, even in Ireland – one of the richest countries in the world.

Tá líon na ndaoine gan dídean ag méadú go leanúnach fiú in Éirinn – ceann de na tíortha is saibhre ar domhan.

According to European National Statistics, more than 10,000 people in this country are currently homeless, and in the first six months of 2024, over 30% of those homeless were under the age of 24.

Mar a deir an Staitisticí Náisiúnta Eorpacha, níos mó ná 10,000 duine sa tír seo atá gan dídean i láthair na huaire, ach sa chéad sé mhí de 2024, bhí níos mó ná 30% de na daoine gan dídean faoi aois 24.

People are relying on food banks to survive while living on the streets in a country where billions are being traded.

Tá daoine ag brath ar bhainc bia chun maireachtáil agus iad ag maireachtáil ar na sráideanna i dtír a bhfuil na billiúin á thrádáil inti.

Not everyone has a good life, and it's clear that fairness is not being given to all.

Níl saol maith ag gach duine agus is léir nach bhfuil cothrom na Féinne á thabhairt do chách.

It is often said that "success only comes with discipline", but where is the discipline from the government?

Deirtear go minic "ní thagann rath ach le smacht", ach cá bhfuil an smacht ón rialtas?

The system is flawed, and it is time we listened to the voices of the most vulnerable.

Tá an córas lochtach, agus tá sé in am dúinn éisteacht le guthanna na ndaoine is so-ghonta.

Another major issue tormenting young people is the immense pressure on mental health.

Fadhb mhór eile atá ag crá daoine óga ná an brú millteanach meabhairshláinte.

The Ombudsman for Children, in a recent report, referred to 53% of young people aged between 15 and 24 who are suffering from stress and anxiety, and social media often plays a role in affecting those people.

An Coimisinéir na nÓg, i dtuairisc le déanaí, rinne sé tagairt do 53% de dhaoine óga idir 15 agus 24 bliain d'aois atá ag fulaingt ó strus agus imní, agus bíonn na meáin shóisialta i ndiaidh teagmháil a dhéanamh leis na daoine sin.

As a result, young people are suffering from anxiety because of the image of the world seen on social media, where false images are created and there is an emphasis on beauty and wealth that is unrealistic.

Mar thoradh air seo, tá daoine óga ag fulaingt ó imní mar gheall ar fhís an domhain a fheictear ar na meáin shóisialta, áit a gcruthaítear íomhánna bréige agus béim á cur ar an áilleacht agus ar an rachmas atá neamh-inmhianaithe.

It is essential that there are more services available and more open conversations about the real pressures of life.

Tá sé riachtanach go mbeadh níos mó seirbhísí ann agus níos mó comhráite oscailte faoi fhíor-bhrú saoil.

With proper care, we could prevent it.

Le cúram i gceart, d’fhéadfadh muid a chosc.

There is no doubt that there are advantages to technology, but it also has a dark side.

Níl dabht ar bith ach go bhfuil buntáistí ag baint leis an teicneolaíocht, ach tá taobh dorcha aici freisin.

According to reports from 2023, 87% of young people are online daily, and more than 50% of them spend over 2 hours each day using social media.

De réir tuairiscí ó 2023, tá 87% de dhaoine óga ar líne laethúil, agus tá níos mó ná 50% acu ag caitheamh níos mó ná 2 uair an chloig gach lá ag úsáid na meán shóisialta.

The impact of social media is incredible – creating false images and placing pressure on both young people and adults.

Tá tionchar na meán sóisialta dochreidte – ag cruthú íomhánna bréige agus ag cur brú ar dhaoine óga agus fásta araon.

Family interaction is decreasing, communication is colder, and people are turning to virtual life instead of real life.

Tá teagmháil teaghlaigh ag laghdú, tá cumarsáid níos fuara, agus tá daoine ag dul i muinín saol fíorúil seachas saol fíor.

It’s no surprise that rates of depression, anxiety and loneliness are rising.

Ní nach ionadh go bhfuil rátaí dúlagar, imní agus uaigneas ag ardú.

Studies show that more than 40% of young people are suffering from anxiety and depression.

Tá staidéir ag léiriú go bhfuil níos mó ná 40% de dhaoine óga ag fulaingt ó imní agus dúlagar.

We must regain control over technology before it’s too late.

Caithfimid an smacht ar an teicneolaíocht a fháil sula mbeidh sé ródhéanach.

The education system in this country is like a beautiful lie – lovely on the surface, but deeply flawed underneath.

Tá an córas oideachais sa tír seo cosúil le bréag álainn – go hálainn ar an dromchla, ach lochtach go smior.

Students in disadvantaged areas are still struggling with resources, teachers, and opportunities.

Tá mic léinn i gceantair faoi mhíbhuntáiste fós ag streachailt le hacmhainní, múinteoirí, agus deiseanna.

This means that equal opportunity does not always exist for everyone.

Ciallaíonn sé seo nach bhfuil an deis cothrom ann i gcónaí do gach duine.

They say that “education is free,” but who pays for the books, the transport, and the extra classes?

Deirtear go bhfuil “oideachas saor in aisce”, ach cé a íocann as na leabhair, na hiompar, agus na ranganna breise?

It is time for us to create a more inclusive system that gives everyone a fair chance.

Tá sé in am dúinn córas níos cuimsithí a chruthú a thugann seans cothrom do gach duine.

The result we seek through equality is a fair family life, fair education, and a fair society.

Is é an toradh atá á lorg againn le haitheantas ná teaghlach cothrom, oideachas cothrom, agus sochaí cothrom.

Progress has been made, that cannot be denied.

Tá dul chun cinn déanta, ní féidir sin a shéanadh.

But still, there is work to be done.

Ach fós, tá an obair le déanamh.

Society faces many challenges, but with goodwill, cooperation, and a more humane approach, Ireland can become a country that serves its people.

Tá go leor dúshlán ag an tsochaí, ach leis an dea-thoil, an comhoibriú agus cur chuige níos daonna, is féidir Éire a dhéanamh mar thír a fhreastalaíonn ar a muintir.

“There is no strength without unity.”

“Ní neart go cur le chéile.”