Bellwork 11-4/5 What is poverty? How can society cause poverty? What effects can poverty have on society?

Poverty

Poverty- – A standard of living below the minimum level considered adequate Poverty Level- – minimum annual income needed by a family to survive Currently 14.5% of all Americans live under the poverty level. – 45 Million people

2014 Poverty level Persons in family/household Poverty guideline – 1 $11,670 – 2 $15,730 – 3 $19,790 – 4 $23,850 – 5 $27,910 – 6 $31,970 – 7 $36,030 – 8 $40,090 For families/households with more than 8 persons, add $4,060 for each additional person.

American Poverty Some segments of society are more likely than others to be poor: – Age % of children fall under the poverty line. approx. 37% of poor Americans are under the age of 18 – African American and Hispanic children 3X more likely to be poor than white children

American Poverty Some segments of society are more likely than others to be poor: – Sex- 14.5% of women. Approx. 57% of poor Americans are women. – Over 50% of poor families are headed by a single female

American Poverty Some segments of society are more likely than others to be poor: – Race and Ethnicity- Poverty rates of African Americans and Hispanics twice that of the U.S. as a whole

Child Poverty by Ethnicity

Poverty Statistics Every 43 seconds a child is born into poverty in the US.

Poverty Statistics Every 53 minutes a child dies from causes related to poverty in the US.

Poverty Statistics Today, one in ten families in America lives in poverty.

Poverty Statistics Since 2000, the number of poor Americans has grown by almost 5 million to a total of 45 million.

Poverty Statistics Being homeless makes it extremely difficult to attend school regularly

Poverty Statistics 41 % of homeless children attend two or more schools a year.

Poverty Statistics Homeless children have higher rates of learning disabilities and emotional and behavioral problems

Poverty Statistics The average homeless family is a 27 year-old single mother with two children under the age of six.

Questions- keep in your notes Describe the effects of poverty on life chances and patterns of behavior. What programs has the federal government established to address poverty and its effects? Pg