Transcript Power Point

Quality of Life in Poverty
The Heritage Foundation
Introduction
• Only a small fraction of the 35 million Americans
living in poverty are “destitute,” in the sense of
being unable to obtain adequate food, clothing,
and shelter.
• Most of America’s poor live in material conditions
that would be considered comfortable to well-off in
many other nations or here just a few generations
ago.
Quality of Life in Poverty
The Heritage Foundation
Introduction
• Today, the expenditures per person of the lowestquintile of households equal those of the median
American household in 1970, after adjusting for
inflation.
• Although real material hardship exists in the U.S.,
it is limited in scope and severity.
Quality of Life in Poverty
The Heritage Foundation
U.S. Census Data
• 46% of poor households own their homes: 3
bedrooms, 1 ½ baths, garage, porch.
• 76% of poor households have air conditioning.
• Only 6% of poor households meet the Census
definition of overcrowded. More than 2/3 of
homes have more than 2 rooms per person.
• The average American has more living space than
the average person living in Paris, London,
Vienna, Athens, and others.
Quality of Life in Poverty
The Heritage Foundation
U.S. Census Data
• Nearly 2/3 of poor households own 1 car; 30%
own two or more cars.
• 78% of poor households have a VCR or DVD
player; 62% have cable or satellite TV reception.
• 73% of poor households own microwave ovens.
• More than 50% of poor households own 2 or more
TVs, and 25% own large-screen TVs.
• Only a small portion of poor houses rate as having
“severe physical problems.”
Quality of Life in Poverty
The Heritage Foundation
U.S. Census Data
• The average consumption of protein, vitamins, and
minerals is about the same for poor and middleclass children.
• Among the poor, about 13% experience hunger at
some point. Overall, most poor households were
not hungry and did not experience food shortages
during the year.
• About 90% of poor households report having
enough food to eat during the entire year.
Quality of Life in Poverty
The Heritage Foundation
U.S. Census Data
• Overweight and obesity are found most frequently
among poor rather than middle- or upper-class
adults.
• Many poor families have difficulty paying their bills
and finding adequate work.
• The main causes of child poverty are low levels of
parental work and single-parent households.
Quality of Life in Poverty
The Heritage Foundation
Summary
• Most poor persons living in America have a quality
of life that is better than the average quality of life
experienced in other nations.
• Child poverty can be mostly eliminated by more
jobs and fewer single-parent households.
• The war on poverty has failed to meet the needs
of those persons living in poverty.