Poverty in America

Sociology

U.S. Census Bureau Reports

• 200032 million • 200636.5 million• 200737.3 million (year before

the recession)• 201345.3 million

Absolute Poverty

• The absence of enough money to secure life’s necessities.

Relative Poverty

• A measure of poverty based on the economic disparity b/w those at the bottom of a society and the rest of the society.

Feminization of Poverty

• A trend in the U.S. in which women and children make up an increasing proportion of the poor.

• Why?

Characteristics that affect Poverty

• Age

Children largest % in poverty under the age of 18….37% among African American and Hispanic

• Race and Ethnicity• African American and Hispanics

are more likely than whites to live in poverty.

Effects of Poverty

• Life chances:

Likelihood that individuals have of sharing in the opportunities and benefits of society.

A.M.A. = bad health, shorter length of life, rates for heart disease and diabetes are higher among than poor.

Effects of Poverty

• Life Expectancy= refers to the avg. # of years a person born in a particular year can expect to live.

• Study found that poor children are 60% more likely to die in the first year of life than are children not born in poverty.

Reasons for decreased health and shorter life expectancy• 1. Inadequate nutrition• 2. Less access to medical

care.

On avg. the poor die seven years earlier than the rest of the population.

Behaviors and mental health can vary

• 1. Divorce rates are higher among low-income families.

• 2. Arrest and conviction more likely for the poor.

• 3. Poor people more likely to be victims of crimes.

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• 4. Extensive research shows that the poor more likely to suffer from mental problems.

• More likely to be treated with drugs not counseling.

Federal Government

• Transfer payments= redistribute money among various segments of society i.e., taxes

• Social Security• Aid to Families with Dependent

Children

Fed Government

• Subsides

Transfer goods rather than cash to the poor.

Food stamps/Link card

Head Start

Free or reduced school breakfast and lunch programs.

Myths concerning Welfare

• 1. Most poor people get welfare

• False: In 2004, just 27% of the people living under the poverty line receive AFDC.

• 43% received food stamps, 41% were enrolled in Medicaid, and 19% were helped with housing expenses.

Myths

• 2. Welfare promotes poverty because most recipients become dependent on it.

False: 70% of all AFDC recipients left the programs within two years.