Poverty

Today: About Assignment #3, Education Reflection (due next class) About Test #1 (March 11 th ) Guest Speakers-Reading Partners and Corazon de Vida 3 Major Theories Solutions, Brain Drain, Role of women

Assignment #3 Education Reflection

Due: March 4 th Mon:

Type ½ page-1 page, double spaced, size 12 font. “My high school education was high quality.” Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Explain why or why not in detail. Proof-read for spelling and grammar. Prepare to discuss this topic in class in a small group.

Assignment #3 Education Reflection

Details on website under Papers tab Introduction- name and location of school Body- Discuss the quality of 3-5 of the following in your school experience:

teacher quality safety/violence

academic challenges extracurricular clubs English and Math art, drama, music athletics tutoring/intervention facilities and supplies preparation for college preparation for life parent involvement Conclusion: Your thoughts/reflection on the overall environment of the school

About Test #1

• • • • • • • Test 1 Coming Up

March 11 th

Mon: Test #1 (Chapters 1, 2, 8) Be on time-class continues after the test Bring a standard 50 question scantron E-882 and pencil Multiple choice, 15 questions Study class notes, ppt slides on website, and text reading Study guide will posted on website Friday

How is poverty measured world wide?

• • World Bank looks at people living at a rate $1.25 a day ($456 a year). 1.4 billion people live at this poverty line or below

What do you consider poor?

A) One person in the U.S. making less than $25,000 a year B) One person in the U.S. making less than $15,000 a year C) One person in the U.S. making less than $10,000 a year D) One person in the U.S. making less than $5,000 a year

How Poverty is Measured by the U.S. Census Bureau?

Persons in Family Unit Poverty Threshold U.S. Census 2012 1

2 3 4

$11,772

$14,960 $18, 287 $21,200 Criticisms: Not adjusted based on changes in cost of food Not adjusted based on geographic location Considers income before taxes

How Poverty is Measured by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services ?

Persons in Family Unit 2010 Federal Poverty Guidelines 1 $10,830

Eligibility for federal programs (Head Start, School Lunch) Many people who do not qualify for government assistance are still struggling

Defining and Measuring Poverty

United Nations created the

Human Poverty Index (HPI)

Based on three measures of deprivation: 1. Deprivation of life

Life expectancy 40, 60

Defining and Measuring Poverty

United Nations created the

Human Poverty Index (HPI)

Based on three measures of deprivation: 2. Deprivation of knowledge.

Adult literacy rates

Defining and Measuring Poverty

United Nations created the

Human Poverty Index (HPI)

Based on three measures of deprivation: 3. Deprivation in living standards.

Housing, income, unemployment

Poverty in developed nations

2 3 Italy United States LEAST POVERTY Sweden 1 Ireland Norway Netherlands MOST POVERTY 1 2 3

Using all 3 theories is the best way to understand any aspect of society Poverty Structural functionalism

Every part serves a function

Conflict Theory

Everyone is in competition

Symbolic Interactionsim

We are labeled and influenced by others

Causes of Poverty Functionalist Perspective

•

Poverty persists because it performs some positive function

Causes of Poverty Functionalist Perspective

• • • Sociologists Kingsley Davis and Wilber Moore (1945) highly criticized view Talents are rewarded All positions in a society (doctors - janitors) must be filled

Poverty discourages people from neglecting their social duties

Causes of Poverty

Functionalist Perspective • • • Sociologist Kingsley Davis and Wilber Moore (1945) highly criticized view: Provides society with people willing to do less desirable jobs Provides jobs Provides a market for lesser goods

Functionalist Perspective • Criticized because not all careers are rewarded for their value in society

Causes of Poverty

Functionalist Perspective Major institutions in society not functioning properly

1. bad

economy

Causes of Poverty

Functionalist Perspective Major institutions in society not functioning properly

2. bad

schools

Causes of Poverty

Functionalist Perspective Major institutions in society not functioning properly

3. family

breakdown

Causes of Poverty

Functionalist Perspective Major institutions in society not functioning properly

4. problems with

government

assistance

Conflict Perspective

Occupy Wall Street Protests Police Coverage http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zgr3DiqWYCI

Conflict Perspective

• Karl Marx:

ruling class controls the economic system for its own benefit and exploits

and oppresses the masses

• According to Karl Marx: a system of “haves” and “have-nots” based on the means of production 2 classes: bourgeoisie and proletariat Attorney who works for a firm and clients Independent cab driver who owns his taxi

We are the 99 percent. We are getting kicked out of our homes. We are forced to choose between groceries and rent. We are denied quality medical care. We are suffering from environmental pollution. We are working long hours for little pay and no rights, if we're working at all. We are getting nothing while the other 1 percent is getting everything. We are the 99 percent. http://wearethe99percent.tumblr.com/

Extra Credit Opportunity Video Review

View Capitalism A Love Story Michael Moore If you agree with Conflict Theory: Describe 3 points the film makes that support the theory If you disagree with Conflict Theory: Describe 3 counter-arguments you have to points made in the film

Causes of Poverty Interactionist Perspective- 1 st view

People get accustomed to living in poverty Have difficulty changing the situation

Criticized because it seems to “blame the victim”

Causes of Poverty

Symbolic Interactionist Perspective Culture of poverty: viewing problematic behaviors (selling drugs, dropping out of school, not having a job)

as normal

Symbolic Interactionist Perspective 2

nd

view

People in poverty get labeled as lazy and lose out on opportunities due to the label Labels of poor: View of wealthy:

• irresponsible • lazy • low motivation • low ability • low morals • capable • hard working • motivated • deserving of wealth • greedy • selfish • spoiled • immoral

Poverty In The United States Poverty in the U.S.

Almost 18 million households had trouble putting food on the table (2011) Food insecure: lacking access to sufficient food for all family members

Which explanation of poverty applies best to today’s economic crisis?

a. Symbolic Interactionist A: people get accustomed to living in poverty and therefore have difficulty changing the situation b. Symbolic Interactionist B: people in poverty get labeled as lazy and lose out on opportunities due to the label c. Structural Functionalist: poverty is a functional in society, it motivates people to seek higher rewards d. Conflict Theory: The masses are exploited by the few who have money and power

Solutions to Poverty

• • • Organizations mentioned are listed as Top 10 Poverty Fighting Non-Profits by TakePart.org

Other ways to be a part of the solution:

www.charitynavigator.org

This website provides rating as well as CEO compensation

Provide assistance in more than 60 countries to people whose survival • • • • is threatened due to: armed conflict epidemics malnutrition natural disasters. 1999 Nobel Peace Prize

View: The Way We Live. Ups and Downs of Global Stratification

1. How did Doctors Without Borders start?

2. What is their charter?

3. What is brain drain?

4. How is the role of women a factor?

5. What do you think about the increase in care workers in the United States from other countries?

Answer questions on Video Note Taking Guide while watching

56 secs start-9 11-13 16:20

View Mammoth

Extra Credit Opportunity Video Review

Coming up:

March 4 th

Mon (Next class): Education Read pages 196-204 A#3 Due: Education Reflection

March 11 th

Mon: Test #1 (Chapters 1, 2, 8). Gender

Hunger in the U.S.

Almost 18 million households had trouble putting food on the table Food insecure: lacking access to sufficient food for all family members

Poverty in developed nations

Children are more likely to be in poverty in the U.S. than any other age group UNICEF: highest percentage of children in poverty among rich countries is in the United States

Awareness

Governor Theodor R. Kulongoski 2007 Oregon Lived for one week on an average food stamp budget of $21 per week ($3 per person, per day)