U.S Poverty

          In class we have talked about all kinds of issues from environmental situations to technology wars. When thinking about how many countries cannot keep up with technology because of cost, it made me think about how many of those countries are also  in poverty. Not only did it make me think of just the third world countries, it even make me think about all of the Americans in “my own back yard” who are living in poverty right now.    

            In 2010, more than 46.2 million Americans lived in poverty (ABC News). With that number cited there, you might be asking yourself what is exactly does living in poverty mean? According to Yahoo News, The Census Bureau in 2011, defined poverty as "any individual living on an income of  less than $11,139, or any family of four living on less than $22,314. But that measure, developed over 40 years ago, is inexact at best. It doesn't include non-cash benefits-things such as food and housing subsidies—that can play a key role in supporting families. Nor does the Census definition take into account the large differences in the cost of living in different part of the country, or expenses such as child-care" (Yahoo News). The U.S is not the only country being affected by poverty rates, everyone around the world is.

            Poverty in the U.S. does not look as bad when compared to third world countries, like those on the African continent. The U.S. has many safety nets for those in poverty. The U.S. tries and hides the facts to everyone around the world including those in the United States that many U.S. citizens do live in poverty. I believe that we try to hide it because we are trying to live up to the expectations of the U.S. being a strong country, and we do not want to show weakness. Although the U.S. tries to hide it, the government also has many different ways of helping families out that are in need. For example, the U.S. sets up subsidized housing, welfare programs such as food stamps, Medicaid, and WICS for single mothers and infants.

            The children of America are very important to the government, and it also provides multiple ways to make sure that every child that attends school does not go hungry while learning. The government does not want to punish the children for their parent’s economic status, so students whose

parents do not make a large income can receive free breakfast and lunches. This program (The National School Lunch Program) helps many children in public, nonprofit private schooling and residential child care across the nation. This program keeps some kids from starving. A number of children only get those two meals a day from school because their family cannot afford to buy food.          

            One question you might be asking yourself, is race an issue in the total number in poverty? I did find the percentages of people on welfare by race, as of 2012. The list included Blacks first at 39.8%, then Whites at 38.8%, then Hispanic at 15.7%, other ethic groups at 3.3%, and Asian at 2.4% (Statistic Brain). 

            Living in poverty can also be a mental state. It is up to the families as to how they are going to live, and not every family is up to working hard and getting off welfare. Welfare to some is just an entitlement replacing achievement. A major factor that I think that helps explain most poverty in the United States is that lack personal motivation. For example, some kids who live with their families have too much family support when it comes to money, so when they have to go out in the real world, they end up failing. Other things to consider are the dropout rates, the availability of care programs that we have to offer, and the economic class system. It all goes back to lack of motivation, without motivation to do anything, you just get stuck in poverty and rely on the government for a handout. Poverty in the United States will never be eradicated but “stuck in poverty” has more to do with mental state than monetary state.