Poverty in the USPoverty in the US

What is poverty?What is poverty?US gov’t defines it as the lack of

minimum food and shelter necessary for maintaining life- absolute poverty◦Then decides what income is needed to

sustain that minimum standard of living Multiplies the cost of food by 3 (average

American spends 1/3 of it’s income on food) $23,492 for a family of 4 $11,720 16.1% of the population

How else can we determine How else can we determine poverty?poverty?Define it in terms of how people

live relative to the majority of the population◦Relative definition◦According to this those who earn less

than 1/2 of the nation’s median income are poor bc they lack what is considered to be needed by most people to live a decent life

Feminization of povertyFeminization of povertyPoverty affects women more than men

◦ Most are single mothers or head of the familiesThe US has the largest gender gap in

povertyUS women are more likely that their foreign

counterparts to be both unemployed and head of families with children◦ Single mothers make up the largest proportion of

the poor adult populationWhy??

◦ Increased divorce rate◦ Decrease in fathers paying child support◦ Reduction in govt support for welfare◦ Women live longer than men

Blame the Poor TheoryBlame the Poor TheoryAssume that there are plenty of

opportunities for making it in the US◦ The poor failed to grab the opportunities

by not working hardThe poor have accepted being poor

and see no way outDeveloped a culture of poverty-

debilitating values and attitudes ◦ Passed from one generation to another◦ Discourages the poor from working hard,

which in turn keeps them poor

Holes in this theoryHoles in this theoryPoor people are not necessarily averse

to working hard◦ If given the opportunity they would work

hard Problem is: even if given the

opportunity and work, they are still likely to be poor bc of changes in the economy and welfare policy

The working poor account for 1/2 of the those who fall below the poverty line

Sociological TheorySociological TheoryAccording to functionalist theory,

society create and maintains poverty bc benefits can be derived from it

Poverty performs some positive functions for society◦ Make it possible for society’s dirty work to

be done◦ Poor people make it easier for the affluent

to pursue their business and professional careers

◦ Poverty creates jobs for social workers and other professionals who serve the poor

Holes in this theoryHoles in this theoryCant explain how society creates

poverty in the first place◦Conflict theory explains that the

unequal distribution of opportunities is the reason

Who are the Homeless?Who are the Homeless?Among the extremely poorSleep in streets, parks, shelters and places

not intended for dwellingAccording to Peter Rossi’s study of the

Chicago homeless, most are:◦ African-American men in their thirties◦ Average education level◦ Never been married◦ Held their last steady job 4 years earlier

Other studies show that many are families with children, alcohol and drug abusers, and the mentally ill

The “new” homelessThe “new” homelessMore than 40 years ago, most of

the homeless were old menToday the homeless are younger

and include more women and families with young children

Today’s homeless are more visible to the public

Causes of homelessnessCauses of homelessnessIncreased shortage of

inexpensive housing for poor families bc of diminishing gov’t subsidy

Decreasing demand for unskilled labor◦Extremely high unemployment rate

Erosion of public welfare benefits

Welfare Welfare Most of the poor are NOT on

welfare◦Only about 1/3 of the poor

Majority of recipients are single mothers and their children

Major push for welfare reform in the 90s

Beliefs about welfareBeliefs about welfareMost people think the gov’t should

reduce spending on welfare◦ Attacking the single mothers not the

children on welfarePeople believe that welfare

encourages dependency and wont ever leave◦ Most people believe welfare recipients

should be required to workMost recipients (about 70%) stay on

welfare for less than 2 years

Welfare reformWelfare reform1996 a law was passed to end

welfare dependency in the US◦Head of every family on welfare

must work and benefits are limited to a total of 5 years throughout a person’s lifetime