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What two major social issues do you see emerging in the play "A Raisin in the Sun", and how do they affect everyone in the Younger family?

Certainly racism is the largest social issue in this play.  It appears in a variety of ways.  First, consider the jobs that the characters hold;  Walter Lee is a chauffeur, and Mama and Ruth are domestic workers.  For poor African-Americans, who lacked education, these were the only options - working in subservient positions.  Beneatha is trying to avoid that, by attending college and aspiring to be a doctor.  Second, consider the location that Mama chose for the home she purchased.  When asked why she didn't buy in the black neighborhoods, she replied that those homes cost more money and are poorly made/maintained.  This is akin to redlining - a practice that lenders used to discriminate against African-Americans looking to borrow money to buy homes in which they charge higher interest rates to black borrowers.  And, last, there is the visit from Mr. Lindner, representing the Clybourne Park neighborhood.  Even though he is polite and respectful in tone, his message is very clear.  They do not want the Younger family in their midst.  

Another social issue you might want to include are those of gender roles.  Even Walter is skeptical of Beneatha's aspiration to be a doctor.  At one point he wonders why she can't just be a nurse. The play features very strong women - Mama, Ruth, Beneatha - but they rely on Walter to be the man of the family and make decisions for all of them. 

Sorry - it's a big question!

Lastly, you could look at generational issues.  Mama has a more direct connection with the horrors of slavery and share-cropping, and this makes her more hesitant to engage with the white powers around her (Mr. Lindner, Walter's and Ruth's employers).  Walter & Ruth represent the next generation that has bought into the American dream, and Beneatha is even more modern with her interest in her African roots.

The play was first presented in 1959 and forecasts many of the problems and issues that would divide American society in the 1960's. The first issue the play deals with is a lack of economic opportunity for Black families. All the characters accept Beneatha are working at rather menial jobs. What is unusual is that Beneatha wants a college education in order to become a doctor, but even her own brother questions that when he says "Why don't you just be a nurse, like everyone else?" Another issue that is key to the play is integration. The neighbors of Clybourne Park are obviously predecessors ofthe opponents of integration that made that issue so divisive in the 1960's. Finally, there is an inkling of the "Black is Beautiful" movement that began in the last 1960's and continued into the 1970's. Beneatha is very interested in her cultural heritage and going "natural". All of these issues affect the Younger family who are obviously a symbol for Black Americans.