Exactly what is poverty?

Poverty is a social and economic condition where people lack the financial resources and essentials for a minimum standard of living and involves the following:

• Economic hardships in which they have insufficient income to meet basic needs such as food, housing, healthcare and education.
• Social ramifications mean they have limited access to social services, opportunities and participation in society.

Two types of poverty exist: Absolute poverty and relative poverty. Absolute poverty refers to a condition where individuals lack the basic necessities of life such as clean water, shelter, food and clothing.

Relative poverty is defined in relation to the economic status of the people in society. This means being considerably poorer than others in the same community or country. For example, someone may have their basic needs met but still feel poor compared to the broader societal living standards.

Both types highlight different aspects of economic hardships and social inequality.

Who is impacted the most?

According to the American Psychological Association, approximately 16% of all children live in families with incomes below the official poverty line. This can have severe long-term effects on their health, education and well-being. And poverty rates are often higher in rural areas compared to urban areas, especially in the South and Southwest US regions.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2022 Population Report, 37.9 million Americans were considered impoverished. Families with a female head of household were more than twice likely to live in poverty compared to those ran by male heads of households. Young adults without a high school diploma have a poverty rate of 25.2%.

Black, Hispanic, and Indigenous people experience a higher rate of poverty. According to the Population Report, 26.8% of American Indians, 19.5% of Blacks, and 17% of Hispanics live in poverty.

How can we eradicate poverty?

Poverty can be eradicated by implementing a multi-faceted approach. With the help of lawmakers, below are some strategies that could help.

Economic policies

Increase the minimum wage to ensure all workers are earning a living wage. Create more jobs and provide tax credits for businesses that hire people from disadvantaged communities.

Educational Initiatives

Invest in early childhood education and universal Pre-K programs to give kids a stronger start. Improve public education funding and resources in low-income areas. Expand higher education and vocational training programs.

Funding for homelessness programs

Increase funding for housing programs and initiatives to reduce homelessness. Implement rent control to prevent excessive increases and price gouging. Support community development projects that improve living conditions in impoverished communities.

Healthcare subsidies

Mandate affordable and quality healthcare that includes improved mental health services, and policies to reduce prescription drug costs in underserved communities.

And finally tackle systemic racism that contributes to economic disparities.

How can you help on a personal level?

You can help on a personal level by donating yourself and your time to organizations that fight poverty and by supporting local businesses to help stimulate economic growth in your community.

Resources

Many resources and organizations are dedicated to fighting poverty in America. Below are just a few:

End Poverty USA connects individuals with service providers and anti poverty movements across the country. They offer resources for health, food, clothing, legal aid, financial assistance, and housing.

End Poverty Now lists 100 different ways to help the poor, including direct financial support, food and shelter donations, and educational enhancements.

Center for Poverty and Inequality Research provides research and policy recommendations to reduce poverty in the United States. Their work includes analyzing the effectiveness of social safety net programs like the Supplemental Assistance Program (SNAP).

Together we can all take small actionable steps to eradicate poverty. The impact would be beneficial to those in need and fulfill the sense of joy and gratitude one gets from helping others. It’s a win-win situation.

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