In the real world, poverty has been described as where it takes place. This means the way people eat and mostly how they live. Poverty has been blamed “as the result of policy choices, of political will, and of moral conviction” (Spriggs, 2012). Most importantly, society blames the person that is living in poverty. The South of Asia is where the majority of poverty found. Poverty can be referred to as material conditions, economic position, or the social position of that person(s). Poverty is attributed to inequalities in the structure of society which eventually leads to denial of opportunity and perpetuation of disadvantage. And there is growing inequality among jobs. “The official jobless figures are getting worse, but just having a job is no longer protection against poverty. So many are underemployed, partially employed or just plain exploited” (Eisold, 2011).
There is known to be two categories of poverty. They are absolute poverty and relative poverty. Absolute poverty is a set standard that does not change over time. Relative poverty is a standard which a person lives and differs over time. Environmental degradation and poverty alleviation are two urgent global issues which are similar but treated differently (poverties.org).
Poverty continues to affect the mental abilities, working opportunities, health, basic needs, and education. It tends to really affect emotional, behavioral, and mental problems. Poverty and social inequality are closely related. Poor people are exposed more to hazardous and dangerous environments. Those people who live in extreme conditions experience stress, frustration, and family disruption. Other problems associated with poverty are homicide, violence, increased mortality, school failure, and even high substance abuse. Research has shown that children who live in poor conditions most likely will have a mental illness (Department of Health, 2013). This can also lead to deficits with children’s cognitive skills and educational achievements. Poverty and illness together make people much more vulnerable and needy at all stages of their lives, and even more so in old age.
The number of people who live in poverty has declined since the beginning of the 1900s. “The number of people who were living off $1 a day has moved up to $1.25 a day” (Shah, 2013). “In 1981, the estimated number of the poor increased 1.5 billion to 1.9 billion” (Shah, 2013). It 1988, it dropped to 1.4 billion. The persistence of poverty also depends strongly on individual and family characteristics. Among those beginning a spell of poverty, about 83 percent of white children living in two-parent households headed by someone with at least a high school education will escape long-term poverty. In contrast, only 10 percent of poor black children in a household headed by a single woman without a high school diploma will avoid it. Research has shown that two-thirds of people living in poverty are white and 25 percent of the African American population lives in poverty (Spriggs,2012). Although, African Americans are more likely to be living in poverty than non-Hispanic whites.
In the year 2000, the number of poor Americans reached an 11-year low at 31.6 million, and the poverty rate stood at a 26-year low at 11.3 percent (Spriggs, 2012). The U.S. Census Bureau reported that in 2007, 37 million people (men, women, and children) were poor at 12.5 percent. “The poverty line is about three times what the government estimates people will spend for food” (Spriggs, 2012). Poverty has decreased tremendously since the 1960s and is constantly staying between 10 and 15 percent. However, the poor people in the United States are way better off than the poor in other countries. Different sectors have declined at different rates, but the overall trend is clear. Now 46 million Americans live in poverty (Eisold, 2011).
The United States can extend more property rights protection to the poor. This helps them with their economic freedom by having rights to land. The increase of welfare could possibly help but only to those who need it. We could have more supporting programs to people in poverty. These programs can teach people how to come out of poverty and get back on the right track. There also needs to be a better debt relief plan. Even though there are a lot of people living in poverty, the working class (both middle and high) also have problems with debt. More jobs need to be made in the U.S. At least this will alleviate some of the poverty problem because there are people who are actually looking for jobs and wanting to work. The empowerment of knowledge needs to be given such as helping the poor with school and to further their education. No one can really make it in life without some form of educational background. Maybe promoting gender equality can help too. Institutions need to come together more and help with poverty worldwide by helping with housing, education, health, food, transportation, and communication.
In conclusion, poverty is a global issue that continues to grow and seems to be getting worse due to the lack of jobs, education, and living conditions. As poverty deepens, many feel that it is time for a revolution. It was reported recently in The Times, new research indicates that if you start off near the bottom of the income ladder in the United States, you’re far more likely to remain there than if you’re in the same situation in Canada or Europe. Amartya Sen has argued that economists should think of poverty as that which deprives people of the opportunity to develop and use their capabilities. Others argue that the goal in anti-poverty efforts should be to help poor people increase their “capacity to aspire” and navigate toward self-defined goals. “Caseworkers serving people who are applying for public benefits don’t have the time, or the discretion, to get to know their clients, let alone brainstorm with them about problem solving” (Bornstein, 2013).
References
The Challenges of Absolute Poverty. August 15, 2014. www.poverties.org
Bornstein, David. (2013). “In the Fight Against Poverty, It’s Time for a Revolution”. The New York Times, August 7, 2014. www.nytimes.com
Department of Health (2013). Saving Lives: Our Healthier Nation. London: Stationery Office.
Duncan, G. J. & Brooks-Gunn, J. (eds) (1997). Consequences of Growing Up Poor. New York: Russell Sage.
Eisold, Ken. (2011). “The Biggest Elephant in the Room”. Psychology Today, August 18, 2014. www.psychologytoday.com
Shah, Anup. (2013). “Poverty around the World”. August 17, 2014. www.globalissues.org
Spriggs, William. (2012). “The Changing Face of Poverty in America”. The American Prospect, August 22, 2014. www.prospect.org
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