Poverty Chapter 10

Review of some key terms… Life chances? Social mobility? Social reproduction? The sociological imagination?

What is Poverty? How does poverty in America differ from that of third world countries??? The United States has among the highest rates of poverty in the developed/wealthy/advanced world. Absolute poverty—not having enough money to afford the most basic necessities Food insecurity-Having enough food to be physically sustained Food deserts… How much money should a family of four make to live above the poverty line?

The Poverty Line Poverty line—the minimal level of income that the federal government considers necessary for basic subsistence Used to determine eligibility for government assistance (forms of welfare) In 2016, the poverty line was _______for a family of four. Poverty rate=__% ___ Million Americans live in Poverty A rise in Deep Poverty

Issues with the Poverty Line Measurement 1963-Cost of minimal level of healthy Food times 3 Rising costs in housing, health care, and child care No regional differences I.e.: Mississippi vs Cali Illustrates Relative Poverty Rates Not having enough money to maintain an average standard of living in a society -Being Relatively Poor???

The Effects of Poverty on Children’s Life Chances Material Deprivation Poor nutrition, lack of adequate medical care, unsafe home, school, and neighborhoods environments Parent stress The Parenting Stress Hypothesis As poverty exacerbates stress in the household, parents may act in ways that are not conducive to healthy child development

Welfare and Opposing Viewpoints Pros? Cons Social Safety net Get people back on their feet after job loss, etc. Help those in need Attempts to counter the negative effects of deindustrialization, globalization, outsourcing, discrimination, Etc,. that lead to high unemployment rates and stagnant wages Taxes Perverse Incentive Argument The idea that a social safety net is attractive and leads to people who become “free-riders” The idea that welfare discourages work

Who are the Poor? -Racial Minorities -Children -Women Feminization of poverty -Racial Minorities -The “new poor/homeless”? How is poverty Explained?

Causes of Poverty? Deficiency vs. Structural theories -Deficiency Theories- Blame the Individual Innate Inferiority Cultural Inferiority Culture of Poverty Thesis -Structural Theories- Focus on role of society Institutional Discrimination Capitalist Economy of Society Structure vs. Free will Debate?