Poverty in America
With the growing divide between the rich and the poor in a generally wealthy nation, it becomes interesting to know just what exactly entails poverty within the United States of America. For some, poverty runs along the lines of unsustainability, one in which an individual or groups thereof are incapable of providing necessities that sustain life. This is an absolute extreme of poverty. However, Duncan Lindsey and John Iceland further purport this definition of poverty, indicating that those who live in poverty might be much more than just the "ultimately poor." In their cases, there is an inequality that takes effect, which is the major cause of relative poverty in the United States.

In Iceland's case, poverty is "economic, or income, deprivation resulting in one's inability to sustain oneself." For the most part, this is true. However, there is a distinct division between "absolute poverty" and "relative poverty," two…...

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Resources

Iceland, John. Poverty in America: a Handbook. Berkeley: University of California, 2006. Print.

Lindsey, Duncan. Child Poverty and Inequality: Securing a Better Future for America's Children. Oxford: Oxford UP, 2009. Print.

Poverty in America
Working Outline of Poverty in America

Poverty remains a difficult social problem. The distribution of the poor is stratified along ethnic and gender lines. The main suffers of poverty however, are children for whom poverty results in severe future outcomes. The difficult persists because attempts to reduce poverty are stymied by organizational and political issues. The organizational approach to poverty reduction is limited because of bureaucratic and structural impediments. Poverty is an intractable social problem.

Poverty remains an intractable problem

The need to reduce poverty is a major concern for organizations and governments

Poverty has multiple forms across America

a.

The definition of poverty is linked to multiple indicators

Absolute poverty is based on a specific dollar value

Relative poverty is linked to some relative threshold value

b.

Within America there are multiple categories of poor persons

Working poor

Individuals who live in abject poverty

3. Individuals are often blamed by society for being poor this seeks to absolve society of…...

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Mabughi, N., & Selim, T. (2006). Poverty as social deprivation: A survey. Review of Social

Economy, 64(2), 186-192.

Weaver, C., & Park, S. (2007). The role of the World Bank in poverty alleviation and human development in the twenty-first century: An introduction. Global Governance, 13(4),

This is significant, because it is illustrating how these levels and the performance of the economy are directly linked. As, this will lead to: a number of social problems and reduced economic activity. At which point, this will have a dramatic impact on: the underlying amounts of prosperity and the standard of living in many communities. (Nilsen)
How this is impacting the United States?

The impact that this is having on the U.S., is that can lead to a number of long-term issues down the road. Most notably: it is causing a wide variety of cities to experience economic blight and the nation is slowly losing its competiveness. The way that this has been contributing to economic ruin is by: adding to losses of manufacturing and service jobs in a number of cities. As, this is causing a reduction in: the opportunities for many regions. Once this occurs, it means that…...

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Bibliography

Gabe, Thomas. Poverty in the United States. CRS, Washington DC, 2008. Print.

Mishel, Lawrence. The State of the Working in America. ILR Press, Ithaca, 2009. Print.

Nilsen, Skgurd. "Poverty in America." GAO, 2009. Web 23 Jun. 2011<  http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d07344.pdf >

Williams, Joseph. "Poverty and Crime." Christian Association, 2007. Web. 23 Jun. 2011.

The literature search and selection was essentially based on the central questions noted above. The selection of causality was a central theme in this search; and this term was also related to concomitant aspects of the subject; such as the perception of poverty, methodological consideration in the measurement of poverty rates, important social and cultural factors etc. An effort way also made to include theoretical as well as more practical studies, reports and assessments of the problem. However, the literature search also attempted to provide for alternative views and theories that might shed light on the central thesis of the study; so that the literature reviews and citations in this study would be as discursive and extensive as possible.
4.1. General views and overviews general study that provides some useful background to the issue of poverty in an historical context is a History of Sociology in Britain: Science, Literature, and…...

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References

Bradshaw T.K. (2006) Theories of Poverty and Anti-Poverty Programs in Community Development. Retrieved 16 October, 2007, at  http://64.233.169.104/search?q=cache:zrn5ye2QmU8J:www.rprconline.org/WorkingPapers/WP06-05.pdf+theories+of+poverty&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=uk 

Caughy, M.O., & O'Campo, P.J. (2006). Neighborhood Poverty, Social Capital and the Cognitive Development of African-American Preschoolers. American Journal of Community Psychology, 37(1-2), 141+. Retrieved October 18, 2007, from Questia database:  

Poverty and Public Policy
Charles Blow discusses in hits NYT op-ed column the issue of child poverty. He notes up front that his belief is that poverty can never really be ended, highlighting that the man has a realistic outlook on the issue. There are many different causes of poverty, not the least of which is that poverty is, ultimately, relative. What we call poverty today in America would be considered wealthy in half the other countries in the world. His point, however, is that even if you accept that there will always be some poverty, there is a societal obligation to keep the poverty rate as low as possible. He argues in particular against children living in poverty.

This is where public policy comes into play. The United States, simply put, performs poorly on the issues of overall poverty and child poverty, and that is the direct result of public policy.…...

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References

Blow, C. (2015). Reducing our obscene level of child poverty. New York Times. Retrieved March 22, 2015 from  http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/28/opinion/charles-blow-reducing-our-obscene-level-of-child-poverty.html 

Borjas, G. (2011). Poverty and program participation among immigrant children. The Future of Children. Vol. 21 (1) 247-266.

Hall, D. & Cooper. D. (2012). How raising the federal minimum wage would help working families and give the economy a boost. Economic Policy Institute. Retrieved March 22, 2015 from http://www.jobsnowcoalition.org/reports/2012/federal-minimum-wage-9-80-boost_epi2012-08.pdf

Poverty and Inequality Among Children
Studies show that child poverty has been increasing at an alarming rate in the last decade. In 1994, 15.3 million children, or 21.8% of all Americans, were poor (Lichter 1997) and that, although children constituted only 26.7% of the population, 40.1% of all poor persons in the U.S. were children (U.S. ureau of Census 1996 as qtd in Lichter). These rising poverty rates are used by government agencies in determining the criteria for eligibility in social insurance programs and public assistance interventions developed by these government agencies. And, according to these criteria, the economic well-being of American children is on a downtrend, which indicates that tomorrow's adults will be less economically adjusted than adults today and that the future of today's children is materially and psycho-emotionally less promising (Lichter).

In his study, Lichter (1997) pointed to the rapid changes in the most fundamental institutions -- family, school…...

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BIBLIOGRAPHY

1. Achs, Gregory and Megan Gallagher. Income Inequality Among America's Children. Urban Institute, 2000.  http://www.urban.org/url.cfm?ID=309307 

2. Lichter, Daniel T. Poverty and Inequality Among Children. Annual Reviews, vol 23, 1997.  http://links.jstor.org/sici=0360-0572%281997%2923%3C121%APAIAC%E2.0.C )%3B2-L

3. Smeeding, Timothy M, et al. U.S. Poor are Among World's Poorest, Luxembourg Income Study. New York Times, Aug 4, 1995. http://pangaea.org/street_children/nameri/poor.htm

4. Van Hook, Jennifer. Poverty Grows Among Children of Immigrants in U.S., Center for Family and Demographic Research. Migration Policy Institute, 2003.  http://www.migrationinformation.com/USfocus/display.cfm?ID=188

Poverty in the U.S.
Symptoms

Proponents of the "structural" view believe that the most reasons of poverty has innate linkages with economy and its interconnecting institutional practices, which have been bias towards certain segments of the people on the basis of gender, class or race. Work practices most institutions are inclined to maintain numerous hindrances to various segments of the people. Unemployment, median income and calculation of income inequality are considered as structural economic aspects. The impact of unemployment and escalation in median income are written-evidences and their link to poverty is obvious (Jordan, 2004).

As per 2003 statistics, 12.8% persons other than old age people and 17.6% children of the families with incomes lived below the poverty line. In 2003, the poverty rates of men and women were 11.7% and 13.9%, respectively; more probably women were poorer than men. This tiny difference is due to men and women living together in most…...

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Bibliography

Bernstein, J. (2007, April 27). Is Education the Cure for Poverty? Retrieved from The American Prospect:  http://prospect.org/article/education-cure-poverty 

Golonka, S., & Hoffman, L. (2008). State Strategies to Reduce Child and Family Poverty. NGA Center for Best Practices.

Hoynes, H., Page, M., & Stevens, A. H. (2006). Poverty in America: Trends and Explanations. Journal of Economic Perspectives, 47-68.

ISFW. (2012, February 23). Poverty eradication and the role for social workers. Retrieved from isfw.org:  http://ifsw.org/policies/poverty-eradication-and-the-role-for-social-workers/

Matthew Desmond addresses the intersection between race, class, and gender in Evicted. The case studies Desmond uses take place in Wisconsin, which serves effectively as a microcosm for the United States. While the overarching issues Desmond discusses can be one of the book’s main draws, it is the details in each of the stories that compels readers to take action or learn more about issues like institutionalized poverty, institutionalized racism, the perpetuation of the housing crisis, and systematic economic exploitation. The people Desmond profiles lack the power to stimulate change, and yet through collective action and self-empowerment it becomes possible to foresee policy change or at least normative changes in addressing the needs of the poor. As the title suggests, Evicted focuses on the causes and ramifications of both legal and quasi-legal evictions that take place with alarming frequency. By conducting field research separately in predominantly white and predominantly black neighborhoods,…...

" (Barron et. al. 1994) third sociological explanation of individualist precepts is found in social learning theory:
Social learning theory tells us that people adopt others (particularly influential persons) as models for their own behavior. Widespread corruption and lawbreaking by society's leaders may therefore have a profound disinhibiting effect on the rest of the population. According to this thesis, the prevalence of crime and corruption leads to further crime and corruption. Thus, crime is, according to such an explanation, not merely related to antecedent conditions, such as poverty and general disadvantage, but can gather its own momentum. (Gabor, 1990)

Evaluate 2 of the sociological explanations:

The concept that all one needs to stop poverty is "rational self-interest and self-maximizing behavior" is ignorant of the real world at best and cruel beyond words at worst.

Social learning theory, it seems on reflection, would excuse almost any behavior on the grounds that somebody important had done…...

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References

 

Poverty Imbalance
The Gap in America's Distribution of ealth and the Socioeconomic Consequences

The United States often characterizes itself in the context of political rhetoric and public displays of patriotrism as the wealthiest and greatest nation in the world. Unfortunately, the wide variance of living standards represented in this plurality suggests that this is an experience reserved only for those with the means. Quite to the point, the poverty that a substantial percentage of Americans live with everyday indicates that this apparent enormity of wealth is not accessible to all. Indeed, the discussion here centers on the understanding that 50% of all of America's vast wealth is possessed by no more than 1% of Americans. This means that the wealthiest individuals in America on their own control more wealth than entire communities and regions. And as the discussion hereafter will show, this is a trend with serious and negative consequences for the…...

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Works Cited:

Cutter, W.B. IV; Federman, M.; Garner, T.I. Kiely, J. & Levine, D et al. (1996). What Does It

Mean to Be Poor in America? Monthly Labor Review, 119.

Galbraith, J.K. (1998). The Affluent Society. 40th Anniversary Edition. Mariner Books.

Rodrik, D. (2000). Growth and Poverty Reduction: What are the Real Questions? Finance & Development.

The paper looked at other possible explanations, such as teacher experience, but found little correlation (Mitchell, 2001).
In the weakest schools, 81% of the students qualified for free or reduced-price lunches. In the schools rated highest, only 3 1/2% of students qualified for such programs. In addition, school ratings dropped in direct proportion to the rise in number of students receiving subsidized lunches. The paper used subsidized lunches as one indication of the economic status of the students' families (Mitchell, 2001). Overall, among schools where 75% or more of the students were part of the subsidized lunch program, only four schools were rated "average." All others scored "low," or "unsatisfactory," and none were considered to be doing a better-than-average job of educating students (Mitchell, 2001). These schools also had largely minority student populations: about 20% were black, 68% were Hispanic, while 1% were Asian and 8% white, thus tying both…...

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Bibliography

Bush, Rod. 2003. "The Civil Rights Movement and the continuing struggle for the redemption of America." Social Justice, Mar. 22.

Furdell, Phyllis. 1993. "Survey finds solutions to addressing poverty in local economic development initiatives." Nation's Cities Weekly, Sept. 13.

Mitchell, Nancy. 2001. "30 'Worst' Schools Named." Denver Rocky Mountain News, Sept. 14.

Petrie, Laurie. 1997. "Infant Death Rate Soars in Poor Areas." The Cincinnati Post, Oct. 28.

Organizations such as habitat for humanity have proven that home ownership is possible for the very poor. The prevention strategy will call for the implementation of a housing plan that is modeled after habitat for humanity.
In addition, the strategy will also address education, healthcare, and economic opportunities. As it relates to education teachers should have the proper credential and pay should be appropriate and consistent with experience. There should be a proper amount of textbooks. There should be no more than 20 students per teacher and computers and internet access should be available at all schools. Certain standards should be in place as it relates to the condition of school buildings and any building that does not meet these standards must be renovated to meet these standards. These standards would be inclusive of working fire alarms, secure entrances and exits, proper lighting, clean floors, clean and operational restrooms, no…...

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References

Green, R. And M. White. 1997. Measuring the Benefits of Homeowning: Effects on Children. Journal of Urban Economics 41: 441-461.

Haurin D.R. Haurin J., Parcel T.L. (2002) Does Homeownership Affect Child Outcomes?. Real Estate Economics. 30 (4): 635.

Rohe, W., G. McCarthy and S. Van Zandt. 2000. The Social Benefits and Costs of Homeownership: A Critical Assessment of the Research. Working paper No. 00-01. Research Institute for Housing America: Washington, DC.

America's Diet
The typical American diet is one high in sugars and processed foods. Accordingly, The United States has earned the unfortunate nickname of "Fast-food Nation." The initiation of the rapid growth in fast-food consumption rates in America is likely a result of this country's lack of a widely embraced and highly diverse national cuisine. The United States as a country is truly a melting pot for cultures, religions, ethnicities and beliefs. This vast assortment has certainly carried over into the world of food. That is, most Americans have easy access to a large array of different cuisines on a daily basis and this chronic presence of other cultural food choices has virtually destroyed any possibility of creating a truly American cuisine. Therefore, American citizens along with the rest of the world have transfixed fast-food into this national category. Without question, on the global stage, McDonald's and urger King are the…...

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Bibliography

Allison, C. (2010, May). Barbecue Master. Retrieved October 18, 2011, from  http://barbequemaster.blogspot.com/2010/05/chopped-pork-bbq-sandwich-with-sam-dog.html 

Baker, E.A., Schootman, M., Barnidge, E., & Kelly, C. (2006, July). The Role of Race and Poverty in Access to Foods That Enable Individuals to Adhere to Dietary Guidelines. Preventing Chronic Disease: Public Health Research Practice and Policy, 3 (3).

Bedell, J. (2008). Food, Fitness, Obesity and Diabetes in the Bronx. Retrieved October 17, 2011, from New York City Department of Health: www.phanyc.org/files/food-fitness-obesity-in-bronx-bedell.ppt

Block, J.P., Scribner, R.A., & DeSalvo, K.B. (2004). Fast Food Race/Ethnicity, and Income: A Geographic Analysis. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 27 (3).

AMEICA'S HEALTHCAE EFOM
Your Chosen Title

The overhauling of America's Health Care Systems has been a highly debated topic because it affects the quality of life, of virtually all residents living in America. A large portion of America's budget is spent on the healthcare system, however many Americans live day-to-day without healthcare coverage or medical insurance. It is surprising to know that although Americas has one of the strongest economies in the world, it lacks in this area. This resonates in the minds of many troubled Americans, who find themselves in serious economic problems due to their inability to provide healthcare coverage for themselves and their family.

Members of government and of the political arena understand that a demand exists, this demands is one that calls for healthcare coverage for all in America. In March 2010 congress responded to this demanded passed what is known as The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act,…...

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References

Health Care Reform Bill Summary: A Look At What's in the Bill - Political Hotsheet - CBS News. (n.d.). Breaking News Headlines: Business, Entertainment & World News - CBS News. Retrieved July 25, 2011, from  http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20000846-503544.html 

Sultz, H.A. (2010). Health care USA: understanding its organization and delivery By Harry A. Sultz, Kristina M. Young. Sudbury Mass.: Jones and Barlett Learning.

Staff of The Washington Post. (2010). Landmark: the inside story of America's new health care law and what it means for us all. New York: Public Affairs.

America- Democracy or Plutocracy?
The United States of America is often hailed as the first and greatest modern democracy in the world. Most Americans believe that the United States is the example the rest of the world should emulate, and that it offers its citizens the power to make decisions through its free and fair elections. Yet at the same time, others say that the United States of America has ceased to be a democracy and instead become a plutocracy. A plutocracy is a state that is ruled by the wealthiest people, rather than by free and fair elections in which all citizens have an equal voice. Recent political developments have caused fear from those who believe the United States is moving toward plutocracy, but at the same time, other equally important developments have shown that it remains, at least for the time being, a democracy.

Although the United States has a…...

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Works Cited

"The Court's Blow to Democracy." Editorial. The New York Times. January 21, 2010. Web. April 26, 2011.

"Health Care Reform." The New York Times. . March 4, 2011. Web. April 27, 2011.

Rolnik, Guy. "Warren Buffet: The U.S. is moving toward plutocracy." TheMarker.com. March 4, 2011. Web. April 27, 2011.

Tremblay, Rodrigue. "The United States of Corporate America: From Democracy to Plutocracy." Global Research Canada. January 22, 2010. Web. April 26, 2011.

There are several key factors that contribute to the persistence of poverty in America. These factors include:

1. Income inequality: The gap between the wealthiest individuals and the poorest individuals in America has been widening for decades. This income inequality creates barriers for individuals living in poverty to access resources and opportunities for economic advancement.

2. Lack of access to education: Education is a key driver of economic success, but individuals living in poverty often have limited access to quality education and may face barriers such as lack of resources, unstable living situations, and inadequate support systems.

3. Limited job opportunities: Many individuals....

Key Factors Contributing to the Persistence of Poverty in America

Poverty, a multifaceted issue that afflicts millions of Americans, is a persistent problem that has plagued the United States for decades. Understanding the complex interplay of factors that perpetuate poverty is essential for developing effective strategies to break its cycle. Here are some of the key factors contributing to the persistence of poverty in America:

1. Economic Inequality:

The gap between the wealthy and the poor has widened significantly over the past several decades. This growing inequality limits economic mobility and opportunity for low-income individuals, leaving them vulnerable to poverty.
Lack of....