US Poverty

7/31/2019 US Poverty

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TrUTHS & MYTHS

Work is available

Jobs for unskilled workers has greatly

diminished

Outsourcing

Machines

Pay minimum wage, lack job security, few

benefits Inconvenient location of business- difficult to

travel to


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myths

Not solely a minority problem

Most poor people are white but a larger

percentage of African-Americans, Hispanics& Native Americans are poor


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MYTHS

There is a prevalent idea and belief that

people can get out of poverty by working

hard. The numbers: 2/3 of people living in poverty work an

average of 1.7 jobs

1 in 4 earns poverty level wages (less than$8.84 an hour)


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MYTHS

The population of individuals and households

living in poverty is actually a dynamic group. For many, `spells' of poverty are temporary,

lasting less than a few years


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MYTHS

many of those living in poverty are not of

working age. Many of the poor are elderly

and even more are children (about 40

percent) or have a work disability.

many people living in poverty who are able to

work are indeed already employed


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MYTHS

The poor live off governmentwelfare

the majority of those living in poverty do not

receive government welfare assistance approximately two-thirds eligible even apply

Most recipients do not receive benefits

continuously


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WHO ARE THE POOR

Invisible people- Rural poverty

May live next door

Many people can avoid encountering the poor


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POVERTY

Poverty Rate: 2009 14.3%

2010- 15.1%

6.3% live in extreme poverty- income

is less than half of the poverty lineabout $11,000 for a family of four

More than one in five children live in

poverty & almost half of these live inextreme poverty


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HUNGER

Unemployment rather than poverty isa strong predicator of food insecurity

In 2010, approximately 1 in 7

households were food insecure 20% or more of the child population in

40 states and D.C. lived in food

insecure households in 2009.


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HUNGER- FOODINSECURITYVery Low Food Security

Food intake reduced due to lack ofmoney

Adult cuts the size of a meals or skippedmeals

One in four adults do not eat for the

entire day Many experience it for 7-8 months during

the year and for 1-7 days in each ofthose months


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LOW FOOD SECURITY

Obtain enough food to avoidsubstantially changing eating patterns

Eat less varied diets, get Federal food

assistance, or help from food pantries


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Why are people homeless?

Foreclosures

Poverty

Low-wage jobs

Lack of affordable housing

Decline in public assistance

Domestic violence

Drug/alcohol problems

Mental illness


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U.S. ECONOMIC SYSTEM

Free enterprise system jobs to most qualified

Almost always significant

unemployment Private enterprise is not able to

generate enough jobs to employ

everyone


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U.S. POLITICAL SYSTEM

Spend more money on military &security than on poor

Corporations & rich push their agenda

such as tax breaks & subsidies Democratic party no longer a party of

the working class but more focused

on the middle class


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CULTURE OF POVERTY

People are often segregated byincome & race

Jobs are low paid & scarce. Leads to

higher crime rates & unemployed menunwilling to marry - single parentfamilies

Can lead to patterns of behavior-alcoholism or life of crime


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Learn Act

Spread the Word- write letter to public

Promote Social Justice Policies- keepinformed & support programs to endpoverty, letter writing

Join Local Advocacy Groups

Give Time

Money


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MIGRANTS & IMMIGRANTS

Do immigrants help or hurt theeconomy?

Treatment of illegal immigrants

History & Stereotypes associated withMexican Americans

Refugees & migrant workers

US Poverty

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