Transcript Poverty

Poverty
Presentation and Research done by:
Regina Avery, Jennye Cooper,
Marla Darimbang and Laura Helling
HSP-305 Human Services Professionals & Small Group Systems
What is Poverty?

We all have an idea of what poverty is and maybe even what it
looks like, but how would you describe it?
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According to Encyclopedia Britannica, “the state of one who
lacks a usual or socially acceptable amount of money or
material possessions. Poverty is said to exist when people lack
the means to satisfy their basic needs” Great Depression
(Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 2012)
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The basic needs described in the above definition could be:
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Food and Water
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Shelter
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Clothing
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Work with little pay/poor work conditions or lack of
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Or any other necessities
•
Millions of people live without these things in their reach or don’t have
them at all. Poverty has been a problem for hundreds of years, and so has
the gap between the lower and upper class.
Can you Imagine a life without just one of those basic
needs listed above?
Poverty. (2012). In Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved from
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/473136/poverty
What is Poverty?


Poverty is present and actually more present here in
the US and in countries all around the world.
The US Government Census (2012) has established
the poverty classification as the following: “People
and families are classified as being in poverty if their
income is less than their poverty threshold. If their
income is less than half their poverty threshold, they
are below 50% of poverty; less than the threshold
itself, they are in poverty (below 100% of poverty);
less than 1.25 times the threshold, below 125% of
poverty, and so on. The greater the ratio of income
to poverty, the more people fall under the category,
because higher ratios include more people with
higher incomes” (U.S Census, 2011).
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There are several definitions on the Census website that
define what is considered Poverty and other definitions
associated with it.
According to World Hunger Education Service,
(2010) the United States poverty percentage was
15.1% in 2010. This is 46.9 million people in poverty.
Who May be effected by Poverty?
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•
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Children and Teens
Adults and Elderly
People of different Races/cultures
These are the Poverty
Guidelines according to the
US Dept of Health and
Human Services:
48
Persons in Contiguous
Family
States and
Unit
D.C.
Alaska
Hawaii
1
$ 9,570
$11,950
$11,010
2
12,830
16,030
14,760
3
16,090
20,110
18,510
4
19,350
24,190
22,260
5
22,610
28,270
26,010
6
25,870
32,350
29,760
7
29,130
36,430
33,510
8
32,390
40,510
37,260
For each
additional
person, add
3,260
4,080
3,750
U.s. Census Bureau. (2011, September 13). Retrieved from http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/poverty/methods/definitions.html
The 2005 HHS Poverty Guideline. (2010, January 29). Retrieved from http://aspe.hhs.gov/poverty/05poverty.shtml
Causes of Poverty
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There are many factors in the causes of
poverty, and it all depends on the area
and the causes.
Here are some of the top causes of
poverty, according to the Doors to
Diplomacy Web Project (2006):
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Overpopulation: There are many major
cities within countries that have extremely
high, uncontrollable populations and there
are just not even jobs or resources to
serve every citizen.
Distribution of Resources: Resources
are just not distributed throughout the
world. This is a problem in high population
areas and many developing countries.
High Standards of Living and Cost of
Living: Think about the cost of living here! We
think its ridiculously high, and Washington state
has the highest minimum wage in the country
and it’s hard to manage living arrangements
here, think about the rest of the world. Here in
the US, there are such high standards due to
politics, celebrities, and the other millionaires
that everyone wants that!
Fight poverty. (2006). Retrieved from http://www.fightpoverty.mmbrico.com/poverty/reasons.html
Causes of Poverty (Continued)
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Inadequate Education: There are so many countries that
don’t have education at all, and we should be fortunate to
have it here in the US. Some countries can’t afford good
education. The US may need some improvements on
education, but at least most kids are education K-12. There
are kids in other countries of the world that have never
been taught how to read due to lack of education in their
region.
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Environmental degradation: This is the deterioration of
the natural environment. This means that water is not up to
quality to drink, soil is not up to quality to plant food, and
surrounding environment is unsafe. Pollution from lack of
education is also a cause in this area.
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Economic Trends: We all kind of have an idea of
economic problems due to the recent recession, and this is
a problem in many areas. Some countries are in worse
shape than we are. Economic trends sometimes work with
poverty. If economy is up, poverty is down, if economy is
down, poverty is up. Similar to aggregate demand and supply
in economics.
◦
Individual Responsibility and Welfare Dependency:
Some people just depend on the system to help them and
don’t know any other way of life other than living in
poverty.
Fight poverty. (2006). Retrieved from http://www.fightpoverty.mmbrico.com/poverty/reasons.html
Effects of Poverty
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The effects of poverty are closely related to the causes
according to Fight Poverty (2006):
◦ Lack of education development. According to UNICEF (1999),
“Nearly a billion people will enter the 21st century unable to
read a book or sign their names and two thirds of them are
women”. This is a huge number!
◦ Homelessness
◦ Pressure of Debt
◦ Domestic Violence Abuse
◦ Crime Increase due to lack of education
◦ Drug Abuse
◦ Mental or physical sicknesses
◦ And Lack of Opportunity
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Some people grow up in poverty and don’t know anything
different. They essentially may become use to it, and some
enjoy living life in poverty.
UNICEF. (1999). The state of world. Retrieved from http://www.unicef.org/sowc99/index.html
Global Poverty Facts
Do we need to look at the world hunger problem in order to
reduce poverty?
 World hunger is out of control yet there’s a sufficient global food
resources.The ISSUSE - many are too poor to buy accessible food.
 Global poverty line is $1.25 a day and 1.4 billion people live at this line
or below.
 Worldwide 80 % of the malaria victims are from Africa.
 Health problems: nearly ½ due to water sanitation deficits in
developing countries. Highest water use in the world: US about 600
liters a day and UK around 150 liters.
The richest 20 % account for three-quarters of world
income.
Knight, D. (1998). it is a myth that world hunger is due to scarcity of food. Retrieved from http://www.psrast.org/nowohu.htm
Shah, A. (2010, September 20). Global issues. Retrieved from http://www.globalissues.org/article/26/poverty-facts-and-stats
ww.psrast.org/nowohu.htm
Poverty Rate by Race/Ethnicity, states
(2009-2010), U.S
United States
Washington
White
14%
27,512,700
Black
36%
13,378,600
Hispanic
35%
17,555,000
Other
23%
White
Black
Hispanic
Other
15%
43%
37%
26%
593,200
100,000
223,600
220,400
4,853,200
Idaho
Oregon
White
Black
Hispanic
Other
12%
48%
33%
23%
460,700
28,900
121,500
81,500
StateHealthFacts.org The Henry Kaiser Family Foundations
Poverty rate by race/ethnicity. (2010). Retrieved from
http://statehealthfacts.org/comparebar.jsp?ind=14&cat=1&sub=2&yr=252&typ=2&rgnhl=1
White
Black
Hispanic
Other
16%
212,000
No sufficient Data
39%
65,100
No sufficient Data
Terms used to
describe poverty
• Income or consumption
poverty
• Human
(under)development
• Social exclusion
• Ill-being
• (Lack of) capability &
functioning
• Vulnerability
• Livelihood
unsustainability
• Lack of basic needs
• Relative deprivation
Approximately 790 million
people in the world are
chronically undernourished,
2/3 of them reside in Asia and
the Pacific.
12 % of the world’s population
uses 85% of its water
and that 12%
does not live in the Third
World!
Maxwell, S. (1999, February 02). The meaning and measurement of poverty. Retrieved from
Global Priority
$U.S.
Billions
Cosmetics in the United States
8
Ice cream in Europe
11
Perfumes in Europe and the
United States
12
Pet foods in Europe and the
United States
17
Business entertainment in
Japan
35
Cigarettes in Europe
50
Alcoholic drinks in Europe
105
Narcotics drugs in the world
400
Military spending in the world
780
Rich vs. Poverty
GLOBAL PRIORITY SPENDING
1998
• Compare the 2 yellow charts.
•
Notice costs to achieve
universal access to basic
social services.
Global Priority
$U.S. Billions
Basic education for all
6
Water and sanitation for all
9
Reproductive health for all
women
12
Basic health and nutrition
13
•Wealthiest 10%
accounted for 59% of all
the consumption.
Shah, A. (2010, September 20). Global issues. Retrieved from http://www.globalissues.org/article/26/poverty-facts-and-stats
How do we approach ending Poverty?
Should we approach with a systemic change?
Indigenous People
• Indigenous People - defined as bonded together primarily sharing resources,
culture and experiences.
• Make up 5% of global population, yet 15% of the world’s poor.
Poverty is not an economic trap; it’s political for indigenous cultures. “Indigenous people were politically
excluded solely for racial reasons” stated Devarajan (2012).
Progress
• Indigenous people of Chile are the only race to show progression against poverty levels.
• 1996-2005 poverty fell from around 25 % to about 15 %.
• Worldwide China holds greatest success among indigenous people by targeting regions/areas rather than
people.
• United Nations recently increased focus on indigenous people allowing them into politics.
Native Americans 2010 - 5.2 million in poverty
• Native Americans run federal programs for education, homeland security and environmental protection.
• Congress allocated $1.6 billion to Bureau of Indian Affairs to help pay for federal programs. Not all funds
were paid.
• The government has federal programs to help others.
Why is there such inequality of treatment today?
The United States historically “took over their land and eventually condemned a significant of
proportion of the native population to reservations and poverty” (Global Issues, 2012).
Freedman, E. (2012). Poverty rates strikingly high among indigenous populations. Global Issues. Retrieved from http://www.globalissues.org/news/2012/06/20/14078
Gross National Income
#1
#2
#3
#4
#5
#6
#7
#8
#9
# 10
United States: $9,780,000,000,000.00
We give (OECD) $23,530,000,000.00 in Economic Cooperation and Development aid to others
Japan: $4,520,000,000,000.00
Germany: $1,940,000,000,000.00
United Kingdom: $1,480,000,000,000.00
France: $1,380,000,000,000.00
China: $1,130,000,000,000.00
Italy: $1,120,000,000,000.00
Every $1 in aid a developing country receives,
Canada: $682,000,000,000.00
over $25 is spent on debt repayment.
Spain: $588,000,000,000.00
“Look above at how much we give in aid”.
Mexico: $550,000,000,000.00
• States with highest public
assistance Alaska, Maine,
Vermont and Washington.
•States with lowest public
assistance Louisiana, Alabama
and Wyoming.
Nationmaster. (2011). Retrieved from http://www.nationmaster.com/country/us-united-states/eco-economy
Adlers, L. (2011). 10 states with the highest poverty rates. Reuters/The Huffington Post DOI: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/21/povertyrises-despite-end-of-recession_n_1023946.html
Washington Budget & Policy Center
Racial disparities in Washington – 2009 poverty varies
drastically in communities of color in. Compared to statewide
average. White and Asian communities in Washington State
were lower than average.
Poverty was drastically higher among
• Latinos - 24.8 %
• Native Americans - 24.4 %
• African Americans - 24.3 %
Between 2007 and 2009, average participation in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance
Program -SNAP (formerly food stamps) increased by 51 percent in Washington State.
Nicholas, A. (2010). New census data show rise in child poverty. Retrieved from http://budgetandpolicy.org/schmudget/new-census-data-showrise-in-child-poverty-deep-racial-disparities
Poverty among adults – the working
poor
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The working poor with children
are 4x more likely to live in
poverty
Injury at work and work-related
fatalities are higher for lower class
workers
Jobs in manufacturing used to provide a
stepping stone from poverty into the ranks of
the middle class BUT many of these jobs have
been outsourced overseas. This leaves many
working poor in “service-sector” positions –
restaurants, customer service, child care,
cleaning. Ironically these are also the jobs that
do not have health care, retirement, sick leave
Studies show a strong correlation
between poverty and unhappiness
Home ownership and college are
no longer a reality for the working
poor
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Privileged couples tend to have
fewer children and invest more in
them
Americans at the top live longer,
maintain better health
The proportion of students from
upper-income families has grown at
the top 250 most selective schools
The affluent have an increased
tendency to live apart in gated
communities and even larger
houses
Poverty among the elderly
In the 2010 census, 15.9% of
elderly lived in poverty
 Older poor people suffer more
from chronic illness
 In 2009, the elderly spent an
average of 47% of their income
on housing related expenses
(mortgages, insurance, repairs
or rent)
 The poor are often delaying
retirement due to:
◦ Rising costs of healthcare
and prescription drugs
◦ Social Security Benefits can
no longer adequately cover
living expenses
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On Forbes list of the top 10
richest people in America – 80%
are age 60 or older
Wealthy people generally have
longer life spans
There are considerable
correlations between income,
homeownership rate and house
size
The RAND Organization notes a
positive correlation between
income and accessibility to
healthcare - those with a higher
Social Economic Status are more
likely to see a specialist, maintain
healthier lifestyles, and remain
independent longer
The “feminization” of poverty
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According to 2010 census, poverty among
women is at the highest in 17 years – 14.5%
Among women who head households, 4 in 10
(40.7 %) live in poverty
Most working class mothers see a doctor for
the first time in the last months of their
pregnancy. In comparison, wealthy women get
top quality prenatal care throughout their
pregnancy. As a result, infant mortality, birth
defects and illness are higher among poor
families
Among the elderly, poverty does not affect
men and women equally
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Men – 6.7%
Women – 11.9%
Why?
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Lifetime of lower earnings due to wage
discrimination
Out of job market due to childbirth/rearing
Less likely to have employer sponsored
retirement plans
Longer life expectancy
BUSINESSES THAT HAVE THRIVED IN THIS
DEPRESSED ECONOMY:
Pawn shops
 Payday loans
 Car repossessions
 Discount stores (Walmart vs.
JCPenney)
 Subprime lenders
 Reverse mortgages
 Collection agencies
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Reference: Rivlin, G. (2010). Broke, USA: From Pawnshops to Poverty, Inc. – How the
Working Poor Became Big Business. New York, New York: HarperCollins Publishers
Poverty and Children
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In 2007, more than 12.4 million children
live in poverty in the United States alone
(Chilton & Rose, 2009). Poverty is
actually more prevalent in households
with children (Nord & Prell, 2007).
Effects of Poverty on Child
Nutrition
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According to the United
Nation’s The Millennium
Development Goal Report 2007,
between 1990-2005, 27%
preschool children were
underweight (Pinstrup-Andersen
& Herforth 2008).
Child malnutrition affects
• The mal-nutrition plays a role in the
preschool children more than
fact that children in poverty are 1.3
other household members and
times more likely to have
also puts the child at risk for
developmental delays or learning
poor development in
disabilities when compared to
school(Chilton & Rose, 2009).
children who do not live in poverty
(Brooks-Gun & Duncan, 1997, pg. 61).
Effects of Poverty on Child
Nutrition Continued:
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When children are poorly fed, the results
are:
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Low motivation
Short attention span
Negative effect on physical development
Negative effect on cognitive development
Photo: S. Alvarez. (2009). Retrieved from:
http://lens.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/12/04/showcase-88/
Effects of Poverty on Child
Development:
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The Center on Hunger and
Poverty at Brandeis University
says that the malnutrition and
environmental factors associated
with poverty can permanently
stunt growth, brain development,
and cognitive functioning.
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According to the Urban Child
Institute, children experiencing or
have experienced repeated or
long-term poverty score lower on
tasks measuring memory, selective
attention, impulse regulation, and
language skills than do children
that do not live in poverty
(“Children raised in,” 2012).
Ways you can make a difference!
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Organize a one-meal fast and donate the cost of the skipped meal
Encourage restaurants, hotels, and schools to donate usable food instead of
throwing it away
http://www.usda.gov/news/pubs/gleaning/seven.htm
Learn about what local business are doing to provide internships for high school
students, then spread the word and support those businesses
Assist low-income students find college-funding sources
Pay a living wage if you employ people in your home or business
Spread cheer – if your work place delivers holiday meals to families, consider
providing other services throughout the year. For example, you could organize a
“Back-to-School” supply donation box.
Volunteer to deliver Meals on Wheels to senior citizens on a fixed income and
people who are homebound
If you enjoy writing, offer to help a local nonprofit with grant writing, writing
newsletters, etc.
Start a drop-box program to collect old cell phones for donation to domestic
violence shelters
Resolve that every time you or a family member buys something, you will give away
a comparable item
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Reference:
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Daley-Harris, S. & Keenan, J. (2007). Our Day to End Poverty: 24 Ways You Can Make a Difference. San Francisco, CA: Berrett-Koehler
Publishers, Inc.
REFERENCES:
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The 2005 HHS Poverty Guideline. (2010, January 29). Retrieved from http://aspe.hhs.gov/poverty/05poverty.shtml

Adlers, L. (2011). 10 states with the highest poverty rates. Reuters/The Huffington Post DOI:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/21/poverty-rises-despite-end-of-recession_n_1023946.html
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Axelrod-Contrada, J. (2010). Poverty in America: Cause or Effect? Tarrytown, New York: Marshall-Cavendish
Benchmark
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Children raised in poverty are at greater risk for developing cognitive deficits. (2012).
Retrieved from
http://www.urbanchildinstitute.org/articles/research-topolicy/research/children-raised-in-poverty-are-atgreater-risk-for-developing
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Chilton, M., & Rose, D. (2009). A rights-based approach to food security in the United States. American Journal of
Public Health, 99(7), 1203-1211.
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Daley-Harris, S. & Keenan, J. (2007). Our Day to End Poverty: 24 Ways You Can Make a Difference. San Francisco, CA:
Berrett-Koehler Publishers, Inc.
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Ferber, A., Jimenez, C., O’Reilly Herrera, A., & Samuels, D. (2009). The Matrix Reader: Examining the Dynamics of
Oppression and Privilege. New York, New York: McGraw-Hill Higher Education
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Fight poverty. (2006). Retrieved from http://www.fightpoverty.mmbrico.com/poverty/reasons.html
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Forbes staff (September 21, 2011). The Richest People in America. Retrieved from: http://www.forbes.com/forbes400/
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Freedman, E. (2012). Poverty rates strikingly high among indigenous populations. Global Issues. Retrieved from
http://www.globalissues.org/news/2012/06/20/14078
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Future of Children, Volume 7, Number 2, Summer/Fall 1997, “The Effects of Poverty on Children,” page 61, Jeanne
Brooks-Gunn and Greg J. Duncan
REFERENCES
(CONTINUED)
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Hays, S. (2003). Flat Broke With Children: Women in the Age of Welfare Reform. New York, New York: Oxford University
Press
Kennedy, M. (June 23, 2012). Home Economics for Retirement. Everett Herald
Maxwell, S. (1999, February 02). The meaning and measurement of poverty. Retrieved from
http://www.odi.org.uk/resources/docs/3095.pdf
Nord, M., & Prell, M. (2007). Struggling to feed the family: What does it mean to be food secure. Amber Waves, 5(3),
32-39.
Nationmaster. (2011). Retrieved from http://www.nationmaster.com/country/us-united-states/eco-economy
Nicholas, A. (2010). New census data show rise in child poverty. Retrieved from
http://budgetandpolicy.org/schmudget/new-census-data-show-rise-in-child-poverty-deep-racial-disparities
Poverty. (2012). In Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved from
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/473136/poverty
Pinstrup-Andersen, P., & Herforth, A. (2008, August 11). Food security: Achieving the
potential. Environment
Magazine, 50(5), 49-60.
Rivlin, G. (2010). Broke, USA: From Pawnshops to Poverty, Inc. – How the Working Poor Became Big Business. New York,
New York: HarperCollins Publishers
Shah, A. (2010, September 20). Global issues. Retrieved from http://www.globalissues.org/article/26/poverty-facts-andstats
Smith, J. & Kington, R. (1998). The Relationship Between the Socioeconomic Status and Health of the Elderly. Retrieved
from: http://www.rand.org/pubs/research_briefs/RB5020/index1.html
StateHealthFacts.org The Henry Kaiser Family Foundations
Poverty rate by race/ethnicity. (2010). Retrieved from
http://statehealthfacts.org/comparebar.jsp?ind=14&cat=1&sub=2&yr=252&typ=2&rgnhl=1
UNICEF. (1999). The state of world. Retrieved from http://www.unicef.org/sowc99/index.html
U.s. Census Bureau. (2011, September 13). Retrieved from
http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/poverty/methods/definitions.html
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