essay 4

This is a two-part essay.

First, how does the federal government determine the poverty line, and what are the social and political ramifications of this definition? (In other words, what specific formula does the U.S. government use to determine poverty, and what are the consequences of this formula for politicians andfor poor people?)

Next, what is a "poverty rate?"  Explain what the current poverty rate is in the United States, and describe how it varies by age and race/ethnicity.  What do you think it means that some groups, over time, have higher rates of poverty than others?  What can this teach you about our society?  Be sure that you use a sociological perspective to these last two questions!