Poverty Crisis Here?Poverty Crisis Here?presented by Joe Q. StudentAWW - 18 November 2008

• In America they’re 31 million In America they’re 31 million Americans in poverty, 12 Americans in poverty, 12 million in which are children. million in which are children.

• The children who live in poverty The children who live in poverty live with families that have an live with families that have an income of below $6500 a year, income of below $6500 a year, which is less than $6 a day per which is less than $6 a day per person for a family of three. person for a family of three.

• This could be because some say This could be because some say that poverty isn’t a problem in that poverty isn’t a problem in America. However poverty America. However poverty amongst Americans is increasing amongst Americans is increasing everyday especially among everyday especially among children. children.

OPPOSING VIEWPOINTOPPOSING VIEWPOINT• The Department of Health and The Department of Health and

Human Services claims that Human Services claims that about 96% of American about 96% of American families say that they have families say that they have “enough food to eat” while 3% “enough food to eat” while 3% say “sometimes” and only a half say “sometimes” and only a half of 1% say they “often don’t of 1% say they “often don’t have enough food.”  (CQ have enough food.”  (CQ Researcher).Researcher).

• Surprisingly almost half the Surprisingly almost half the people in poverty who say they people in poverty who say they don’t have enough food are don’t have enough food are overweight. overweight.

• Those in poverty actually are more likely to be overweight; almost half Those in poverty actually are more likely to be overweight; almost half of adult women living in poverty are overweight. Obesity is also of adult women living in poverty are overweight. Obesity is also increasing rapidly among American children in poverty.increasing rapidly among American children in poverty.

• Children in poverty take in more than 200 percent of the recommended Children in poverty take in more than 200 percent of the recommended protein daily. So overall those in poverty actually get more nutrients protein daily. So overall those in poverty actually get more nutrients and proteins then the recommended amount, resulting in obesity for and proteins then the recommended amount, resulting in obesity for

those in poverty.those in poverty.

POVERTY&OBESITYPOVERTY&OBESITY• Even though research shows (CQ Even though research shows (CQ

Researcher) that half of those who say Researcher) that half of those who say don’t have enough food are obese, don’t have enough food are obese, this isn’t because they aren’t really in this isn’t because they aren’t really in poverty its because they are having so poverty its because they are having so much trouble providing food for much trouble providing food for themselves, that they do not get a themselves, that they do not get a balanced amount of meals everyday. balanced amount of meals everyday.

• Those who live in poverty get scarce Those who live in poverty get scarce and random amount of nutrients/food, and random amount of nutrients/food, this can create obesity problems.this can create obesity problems.

The federal government’s estimate of poverty/food insecurity within America has

been increasing over the years, various studies by non-governmental organizations and

academics have established significant rates of increase in poverty.

An example is the Urban Institute’s National Survey of America’s Families which found that “half of all families at 200 percent of poverty

and below had concerns with food shortages or difficulty obtaining food.”

FOOD WASTEDFOOD WASTED

• In America each year about In America each year about 100 billion pounds of food 100 billion pounds of food is wasted.is wasted.

• Recently according to Recently according to “America’s Second “America’s Second Harvest” just this year 41 Harvest” just this year 41 billion pounds of food has billion pounds of food has been wasted. been wasted.

CHILDREN LIVING IN CHILDREN LIVING IN POVERTYPOVERTY

• Everyday 2660 children are born into Everyday 2660 children are born into poverty, and 27 children a day die poverty, and 27 children a day die because of it. because of it.

• Children in poverty are lacking in 10 Children in poverty are lacking in 10 to 16 critical nutrients necessary for to 16 critical nutrients necessary for normal growth/development. normal growth/development.

• When Children grow up in Poverty When Children grow up in Poverty they often end up having troubles that they often end up having troubles that last their entire life. last their entire life.

CHILD POVERTY IS INCREASING EVERDAY IN AMERICACHILD POVERTY IS INCREASING EVERDAY IN AMERICA

• Children everyday in Children everyday in America are dealing with America are dealing with poverty. As a country we poverty. As a country we need to stop this growing need to stop this growing crisis, and figure out a way crisis, and figure out a way to help these children and to help these children and families living in poverty.families living in poverty.

WORKS CITEDWORKS CITED• O’Brien, Doug. “Is there a real Hunger Problem in America?” O’Brien, Doug. “Is there a real Hunger Problem in America?” The The

CQ researcher online CQ researcher online December 2000. Hopkins High School Media December 2000. Hopkins High School Media Center. 4 Sep. 2008 http://library.cqpress.com/cqresearcher/toc.php?Center. 4 Sep. 2008 http://library.cqpress.com/cqresearcher/toc.php?mode=cqres-procon&level=2&values=Poverty+and+Homelessnessmode=cqres-procon&level=2&values=Poverty+and+Homelessness

• Rector, Robert. “Is there a Real Hunger Problem in America?” Rector, Robert. “Is there a Real Hunger Problem in America?” The The CQ researcher online CQ researcher online December 2000. Hopkins High School Media December 2000. Hopkins High School Media Center. 4 Sep. 2008 http://library.cqpress.com/cqresearcher/toc.php?Center. 4 Sep. 2008 http://library.cqpress.com/cqresearcher/toc.php?mode=cqres-procon&level=2&values=Poverty+and+Homelessnessmode=cqres-procon&level=2&values=Poverty+and+Homelessness

• ““Children in Poverty, America’s ongoing warChildren in Poverty, America’s ongoing war.” Hearts and Minds .” Hearts and Minds Network, 1997-2007. Creative Commons at Network, 1997-2007. Creative Commons at http://www.heartsandminds.org/articles/childpov.htm - online 1997, http://www.heartsandminds.org/articles/childpov.htm - online 1997, latest changes March 31, 2007latest changes March 31, 2007