Essay on Poverty in America - 1394 Words

The Background of Poverty in America In the United States today there are many reforms that had been made to help cope with those who are living in poverty. However, these reforms have been keeping many from being able to climb the social class ladder because the â€Å"War on Poverty† has not been effective on ridding poverty in the U.S. According to the Heritage Foundation, there are about forty six million people who are living in poverty and it is a conflict in this country because it puts people of lower class at a disadvantage because they have to choose between necessities like healthcare, child care and food in order to help themselves and their family members; therefore, many sacrifices have to be made to insure their survival. Though†¦show more content†¦Since 1964, President Johnson declared an â€Å"unconditional war against poverty† in his State of the Union. The Johnson Administration passed many reforms such as the Social Security Act, Food Stamp Act, Economic Opportunity Act, and the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to aid the 19% who were suffering through poverty at that time and these reforms were able to help lower poverty rates in the U.S to 11.1% for the next decade (Raab, 2013). Though many of these reforms were able to help the lower class, the reforms were unable to keep up with the increasing standard of living. Under President Obama, the U.S still uses these reforms that were passed under the Johnson administration. From his first term, President Obama has been on the issue of poverty in America and has promised many he would help the lower class improve their economic conditions. Nevertheless, the talks Obama gives on this issue has demonstrated little rhetorical leadership and has only emphasized issues related to poverty which makes him similar to past presidents. Today about 14.6 percent of the population (Raab,2013) are still living in poverty and this pressing issue will not change if presidents conti nue to direct people on what to do about poverty, change would not be made. Instead, presidents should facilitate this problem because there needs to be more drastic changes that will help the lower class. Conflict Theory Conflict theory was first introduced by Karl Marx who saw that classShow MoreRelatedPoverty in America840 Words   |  4 Pagesabout poverty’s history in America and its definition, the causes/reasons of poverty, the effects of poverty on America, and the salaries of people in poverty. Poverty is the state or condition of having little to no money or goods. In America, poverty started being a major issue in the late 1950s when it reached 22.4 percent of the American population. Throughout the 1960s, poverty steadily declined, and reached 11.1 percent in the year 1973. Over the next 10 years, poverty alternated between 11.1Read MorePoverty in America1093 Words   |  5 PagesPoverty in America Poverty, the state of being extremely poor, exists all over America! There are several different types of poverty, and the causes of poverty. Most people think of poverty as just somebody who is homeless and has no job, somebody who has no money to support the basic needs of life, and wears ragged clothing and lives under a bridge. What people don’t know is there are people living in poverty that have jobs and make money but live so poorly that they are categorized with peopleRead MorePoverty in America1999 Words   |  8 PagesPoverty in America A Social Problem 3/22/2013 Rebecca McNamara Abstract Poverty has been around as long as there has been an America. Programs have been set in place to help offset the issue, such as Food Stamps and housing. The government’s implementation of some of these programs is to ensure that the poor have a place to sleep and adequate meals to eat. There are issues with these programs that contribute to the furthering of poverty, but for the most part are more helpful than harmfulRead MorePoverty in America1874 Words   |  8 PagesPoverty is an epidemic that has swept the American nation many times over. Whether it be quietly lingering under the surface, or blatantly staring us in the face as it is in this current recession, it affects people across America on individual, community and national levels alike. While there are many causes and effects of poverty, it is important to view the issue of poverty and its causes from all angles when one seeks to tackle the problem. These factors include socio-economic status, mentalRead Morepove rty in america2346 Words   |  10 Pagesï » ¿ Poverty has always been with us from beggars outside the gates of Jerusalem to the mentally ill homeless woman in the park. America is known for our huge difference in culture and class. This is due partly to the dynamics behind the political decisions of this country. The president himself admits that America is more unequal than it’s been since the great depression and many of his own supporters say he has failed. America now has, by many standards, the lowest social mobility of all of the high-endRead MoreCause Of Poverty In America787 Words   |  4 Pagesyou can see, there are more than the basics of poverty. These poor people struggle on a daily basis to provide the needs of themselves and their family. Poverty affects adults and their children in so many ways. I believe that poverty should be one of the main focuses of America. I have deep sorrow for these people doing whatever they can to make money. I think that poverty needs to be decreased in the United States. I d on’t know how the people in poverty do it. They have a weight that they are carryingRead MorePoverty in Latin America1502 Words   |  6 Pages Poverty, or the inability to afford basic human needs, is an issue that is spread worldwide. There are people everywhere who cannot afford shelter, food, healthcare, or education. It seems easy enough to ignore the bum asking for change on the street, but it becomes near impossible in regions where whole families are begging on the street. This rings true in Latin America and it is extremely frustrating to see social inequality this extreme. This essay will examine how much poverty exists inRead MoreThe Socialization Of Poverty : America1552 Words   |  7 PagesThe Socialization of Poverty. Envision America different from what we know. A different, yet real America, which exists in a time unknown, an America that is no longer governed by hate and cruelty. Imagine parents no longer struggling to pay the bills, no people lying ill on the streets, or children starving at night. A time where a specific economic status does not evoke disapproval, crime, and suspicions. Imagine America healing and progressing from its earlier judgments and degradation of peopleRead MorePoverty And Its Effects On America1380 Words   |  6 PagesWhat are the main reasons there is so much poverty in America? In the past 30 years, poverty has increased drastically leaving many people homeless and helpless. Adults, as well as the children, are left on the streets to seek different ways to aid their families. If a working family member is injured, then it is up to the others to find ways to care for the injured and at the same time set food on the table. Many women also work to aid their families , however, when a woman works at a factory sheRead MorePoverty And Its Effects On America894 Words   |  4 PagesPoverty is one of largest problem in the whole world, because thousands of people are affected by this major concern. Poverty is an issue that inflicts many dangerous situations, such as, crimes, diseases, lack of literacy, hard labor, etc., and therefore, it is essential to resolute before it gets worse. For example, United States is having risen in unemployment rates, which indicates the early symptoms, that citizens have started submerging into poverty. In most of the poor countries crime ratio