Who do I think is poor in the US and Globally? In this session, it was stated that even though Americans generally have higher living standards than the people in other countries, the United States have a higher poverty rate compared to other countries. Child poverty rates are also higher here, which is a shame.
Why do I think US and globally is poor? I think that Americans are even more poor because we tend to use alot of our money on things that are not even necessary. Personally, I buy everything in excess even things that I do not need. Also, it seems as though the US import more goods than we export compared to other countries, they export more than they import.
What do I think is being done about poverty? Not much is being done about poverty. It's actually getting worse because of the economic condition the US is in right now. It's bad for other countries that have a close relationship with the US too because now, they are also affected by oir economic downfall.
How well is poverty being addressed? Well, poverty nowadays is pretty normal I would say, compared to years ago. So there is alot going on in the news about people robbing on another, killing one another, because these people are desperate.
What do I think should be done? I think that the minimum wage in the US is too low, even compared to other countries, so it should be raised. Also, there are not as many publuc benefits here in the US as compared to other countries, as stated in the session.There is also a huge gap between the rich and the poor, so income levels are are unequal, very unequal.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Session 4 Geography of Poverty
The Midwest had some of the lowest poverty rates and the south continues to have the highest poverty rate. That means that going back on the initial question of "who do you think is poor in the US and globally", every region and everyone is poor, whether it is the essential things we need in life, or just plan materials things that we desire.
So, why do I think that people are poor? Well, from what I learned from the most recent class session, people are mostly poor because of lost jobs and etc. This is affected by the place they live and/or work, which has alot to do with geography. It states that poor people are characterized by low education, wages, scarce jobs, inadequate social support services, etc. These characterizations have alot to do with the geography, if not all to do with geography.
In this session, there are many things being done about poverty. The first thing NOT being done, however, is that poor people were affected by the past government policies. Right now, there are tax policies that favor investment in new factories.
Personally, I think there the government should do whatever it takes to create more jobs. Also, the overnment should not be taxing us on everything, but actually giving the people tax money so that the citizens can go around and spend to businesses so that those businesses have customers. Then because of those customers, businesses have money to spend on other businesses, making this a circular flow.
So, why do I think that people are poor? Well, from what I learned from the most recent class session, people are mostly poor because of lost jobs and etc. This is affected by the place they live and/or work, which has alot to do with geography. It states that poor people are characterized by low education, wages, scarce jobs, inadequate social support services, etc. These characterizations have alot to do with the geography, if not all to do with geography.
In this session, there are many things being done about poverty. The first thing NOT being done, however, is that poor people were affected by the past government policies. Right now, there are tax policies that favor investment in new factories.
Personally, I think there the government should do whatever it takes to create more jobs. Also, the overnment should not be taxing us on everything, but actually giving the people tax money so that the citizens can go around and spend to businesses so that those businesses have customers. Then because of those customers, businesses have money to spend on other businesses, making this a circular flow.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Session 3 Poverty in the United States
WOW. All I can say is WOW. The current US poverty statistics really overwhelmed me. I cannot believe that compared to adults, children are more poor. This really breaks my heart to see this statistic. My conclusion is that the parents made these children this way, because they are only children. Children cannot help themselves yet. They are not adults. At least the poverty rate of the elderly was the least. You can tell I have a really soft spot of children and the elderly.
Something I learned in this session is that each year, the poverty rate increases, but ALOT, in my opinion. There is a correlation between poverty and African Americans. African Americans have the highest poverty rate. There is also a correlation between poverty and Hispanics. Hispanics follow closely behind African Americans in poverty.
There are four categories of serious and critical hardships and they are: food insecurity, insufficient health care, housing problems, and inadequate child care. The difference between serious and critical hardship is that critical hardship is more critical.
The film Down and Out in America showed me that sometimes, it is not that person's fault for being poor. In the film, the African American lady had a college degree and a job, but once one thing happens, it is like a domino effect.
Something I learned in this session is that each year, the poverty rate increases, but ALOT, in my opinion. There is a correlation between poverty and African Americans. African Americans have the highest poverty rate. There is also a correlation between poverty and Hispanics. Hispanics follow closely behind African Americans in poverty.
There are four categories of serious and critical hardships and they are: food insecurity, insufficient health care, housing problems, and inadequate child care. The difference between serious and critical hardship is that critical hardship is more critical.
The film Down and Out in America showed me that sometimes, it is not that person's fault for being poor. In the film, the African American lady had a college degree and a job, but once one thing happens, it is like a domino effect.
Session 2 Historical Views, Definitions, and Measures of Poverty
There are many definitions of poverty as mentioned in the class session slides. I believe that some are correct, but some are more detailed than others. The definition that I agree with the most is Gilder 1891. Gilder says that poverty is " the breakdown of interrelationship of work, family, and faith." I like this definition because when I think of poverty, I think of not only money, but also of family and the higher power that I believe in,God.
An interesting fact that I learned was that poverty is judged by both time and place. I never really thought about people being poor in let's say, the 1900s, would be different than people being poor now. Now, I understand that this makes sense because everything was cheaper back than.
I also learned that more African Americans were considered poor. Some of the reasons were: slavery, low skill and education levels, and moral deficiencies.
Another interesting thing I learned is that there are different ways to measure poverty. I never really put this thought into my head. However, I still do not understand the whole picture. How do you measure poverty? By a number? This just seems a little weird to me. I understand the relative measure, so you can compare and contrast a standard of living.
An interesting fact that I learned was that poverty is judged by both time and place. I never really thought about people being poor in let's say, the 1900s, would be different than people being poor now. Now, I understand that this makes sense because everything was cheaper back than.
I also learned that more African Americans were considered poor. Some of the reasons were: slavery, low skill and education levels, and moral deficiencies.
Another interesting thing I learned is that there are different ways to measure poverty. I never really put this thought into my head. However, I still do not understand the whole picture. How do you measure poverty? By a number? This just seems a little weird to me. I understand the relative measure, so you can compare and contrast a standard of living.
Friday, September 3, 2010
Initial Perspectives on Poverty in the US and Globally
I think that the whole world is poor, including the United States because we are in a recession right now and countries across the world are also affected by this recession. The average American probably is not spending nearly as much as they used to, including me, and that kinda of messes up the whole circular flow of the economy, which is buyers buying and sellers selling.
I believe that the whole world is poor because we are all stuck in a recession. Many people lost their jobs, including my mom, and my father's incoming cannot support a family of 7. Therefore, he spends less, and I am almost sure many other people in America and across the world are in the same situation as I am.
I do not think that much is being done about poverty, especially in other countries, such as Vietnam. In Vietnam, everywhere you go, you will see a homeless person. There is no such thing as a rich person in Vietnam, in my opinion, because it is still a Communist country and the government controls everything! The citizens work all day for food to eat, not knowing that the government might take their farm land the next. In America, however, is is better. Still not good, but better than Vietnam. The government lets people on subsidized housing and food stamps, but there isn't much more than that. In America, at least there is a minimum wage, which at least let workers know that they will make a minimum amount of money, hopefully relieving their stress about bills, etc.
I think that poverty is being addressed more than ever now since the recession. The recession has had such a negative impact on many Americans. Some Americans now are jobless, which leads to households with no salaries, which eventually could lead to poverty. The government in America is addressing poverty now by trying to creat jobs. Everything that has been on the news in the past 1+ year is about creating new jobs, employing people, and much more in that category. Globally, poverty is even worse because America has a very high employment rate compared to countries in the world.
Personally, I think that the minimum wage is a great idea for Americans. I think that the national minimum wage policy should spread globally because I am positive this policy does not exist everywhere, even in places that the citizens of that country need the most. A program I suggest to help relieve poverty is helping citizens in America and globally by giving every city or village a water system. This would help the citizens for a long time, not like giving them water and they will run out. Also, there should be volunteers to feed the hungry and helpless, or just normal people who recently lost their jobs and cannot afford to feed themselves or their family.
I believe that the whole world is poor because we are all stuck in a recession. Many people lost their jobs, including my mom, and my father's incoming cannot support a family of 7. Therefore, he spends less, and I am almost sure many other people in America and across the world are in the same situation as I am.
I do not think that much is being done about poverty, especially in other countries, such as Vietnam. In Vietnam, everywhere you go, you will see a homeless person. There is no such thing as a rich person in Vietnam, in my opinion, because it is still a Communist country and the government controls everything! The citizens work all day for food to eat, not knowing that the government might take their farm land the next. In America, however, is is better. Still not good, but better than Vietnam. The government lets people on subsidized housing and food stamps, but there isn't much more than that. In America, at least there is a minimum wage, which at least let workers know that they will make a minimum amount of money, hopefully relieving their stress about bills, etc.
I think that poverty is being addressed more than ever now since the recession. The recession has had such a negative impact on many Americans. Some Americans now are jobless, which leads to households with no salaries, which eventually could lead to poverty. The government in America is addressing poverty now by trying to creat jobs. Everything that has been on the news in the past 1+ year is about creating new jobs, employing people, and much more in that category. Globally, poverty is even worse because America has a very high employment rate compared to countries in the world.
Personally, I think that the minimum wage is a great idea for Americans. I think that the national minimum wage policy should spread globally because I am positive this policy does not exist everywhere, even in places that the citizens of that country need the most. A program I suggest to help relieve poverty is helping citizens in America and globally by giving every city or village a water system. This would help the citizens for a long time, not like giving them water and they will run out. Also, there should be volunteers to feed the hungry and helpless, or just normal people who recently lost their jobs and cannot afford to feed themselves or their family.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)