Poverty

A family of three living on $17,400 a year is not only poor, but officially is considered living in poverty by the U.S. government...therefore, there are approximately 46 million people living in poverty in the United States today (Kochakian, 2011). In addition, Children who live in poverty, especially young children, are more likely than their peers to have cognitive and behavioural difficulties, to complete fewer years of education, and, as they grow up, to experience more years of unemployment ("More than," 2011).

In my current profession, I work with families from various socioeconomic backgrounds and many of these families are apart of the 46 million Americans living in poverty. I learned of poverty at an early age and can remember giving to those on need be it clothes, food or volunteering and I continue to give throughout my adulthood. Through conversation, I found that a close friend grew up living in poverty. She has reported that her mother was a single parent raising two young children in the inner city. This friend experienced housing instability, living in a home (at times) with no electricity or gas and also utilizing local food pantries to "stock up" on essentials for proper nutrition until the monthly food stamps were replenished the following month. She always reports that she has had to work three times as hard as others to "get out the hood." She states that growing up in poverty has taught her to value education and hard work. As a 29 year old mother and wife, she has since graduated college and has obtained two Master's degrees and holds a prominent position in the west coast.

Fortunately, she was able to end the generation cycle of poverty however many children are unable to do so. For instance, Brazil implemented the Zero Hunger program in 2003 to fight hunger and give children hope for the future (Frayssinet, 2011). This one program has reportedly uplifted 28 million people out of poverty. Those in Brazil (16 million) live on less than $41 dollars a month which includes entire families.

Fabiana Frayssinet. (2011, November 8). BRAZIL: TAKING THE FIGHT AGAINST HUNGER

ABROAD. Global Information Network. Retrieved November 26, 2011, from ProQuest Central.

(Document ID: 2506684091).

Kochakian, Charles. (2011, November 21). Revised portrait of U.S. poverty; Census report shows

effects of public welfare, health care costs. New Haven Register,A.4. Retrieved November 26,

2011, from ProQuest Central. (Document ID: 2517414361).

More than 1 in 5 U.S. children are poor: census. (2011, November 18). Calgary Herald,A.14.

 

Retrieved November 26, 2011, from ProQuest Central. (Document ID: 2515892621).