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Argumentative Paper: Poverty in The United States

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Published: Mar 16, 2024

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Root causes of poverty, impact on individuals and society, potential solutions.

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• Essay on Poverty

Synthesis On The Issue Of Poverty Essay Sample

Type of paper: Essay

Topic: Poverty , Social Issues , Wellness , Education , Taxes , Life , Students , Family

Words: 1250

Published: 12/29/2019

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In both the developed and developing countries, the society is divided into the upper-class, middleclass, and the low class. Although income levels and living standards for the low class have recently improved, there are still inequalities in terms of the treatment of the rich and the poor. The low class would like to get equal opportunity to improve their living standards. However, the rich people want to become richer. In America, some homeless people beg around the streets, and some criminals rob people for money. Those poor have not money to buy food, and even they have not house to live. On the contrary, upper-class people earn money from investments and high salary. Facing the growing distance between the rich and the poor, the rich are getting richer, the poor are getting poorer, so that how to alleviate this phenomenon? In three articles, the authors discussed the reasons and solutions for dealing with social inequity and continuation of poverty by political, psychological, cultural, and moral development. In my thought, Poverty and the rich were treated completely difference by society tin the world, but poverty may be challenged by education and efforts, as well as government assistance.

In the modern times, academic strength and technological skills are essential for survival. Education and knowledge can change the lives of the poor. No matter which county, poor families pin one’s faith on their next generation. Usually they allow their children to have education in school, and asked them study hard for getting high wage jobs after graduation, and then their living environment could be changed to better. For example, in her article “Born Poor and Smart,” Angela Locke is writer for the feminist news journal off our backs, claims talents promote success that could be making a better life. Angela Locke present intelligence could be change poor persons’ living through her mother experience, although her mother didn’t achieve it. She said, “Success is not only discovering your talents and your interests, but being able to make a living using them” (Locke, 2008, p.451). Most people hope that they can success in career through their own efforts and wisdom. The most important is that they can earn money through their talents.

Smart people could success in society, and also could create higher living. Angela Locke wrote in her article about “oppression can’t perpetuate itself without the cooperation of the oppressed” (Locke, 2008, p.451) and explained in “one way that cooperation works with class is that intelligence is scorned within the ranks of the poor.”(Locke, 2008, p.451) Her mother keeps stereotypes thought, the reason why she was satisfied with her job to made coffee for her coworkers.

Second, culture differences are facts of the gap between the poor and the rich. My mention is that low-income should not be controlled by culture facts. In his article” Culture of Success,” Brink Lindsey is vice-president for research at the conservative Cato institute and also is the author of Against the Dead Hand, claims that culture facts effected people hard work, and even restrict upward mobility. Lindsey states, “While natural talent is a plus, there is no substitute for long hours of preparation and hard work” (Lindsey, 2008, p.454). They emphasized that intelligence is essential for a worker. Unskillful people would be eliminated in modern society. In deed, some labors such as porters are cheap because their works only need physical strength. They do not need any professional skills and knowledge. In addition, “the class divide in academic achievement is fundamentally a cultural divide” (Lindsey, 2008, p.454). It explained that upper-class students have more motivation to studying for become good students, but low-income student “pushes in the opposite direction” (Lindsey, 2008, p.454). Time, money and parents are facts that both challenged wealthy families’ children and needy families’ children. Rich parents and work-class parents develop different goals for their children in same age. So that rich parents’ children spend money on tutor and spend more time in learning. Culture facts increase gap between students at different level, so poor students need to make more efforts to do a better job.

Through their own personal efforts to change the status of life is a way, but government and society provide assistance to the poor is also very important. In his article, “A Great Time to Be Alive,” Matt Yglesias is a fellow at the center for American Progress, a staff at the American Prospect, and a blogger on thinkprogress.org, assumes that whether the rich people should be pay more in income tax that government spend less in public service. He answers that higher taxes could help people in public service, but it cannot be narrow the gap in social inequality. He also point out early childhood education would be a way to remedy inequality. Higher salaries pay much more income taxes than slender earning. Although this solution cannot make a contribution to change the gap between the rich and the poor in a short time, the government could “spend it on useful services” (Yglesias, 2008, p.465). For example, the government could reduce tuition fees of poor group, and then charge the fees by income taxes. Making sure every student has a change to study in school. As we know, almost all of the education institutes provide finance support for needy students. This is very helpful for these poor. More than, in the article “Middle of the Class,” the Economist is a weekly magazine published in England by The Economist Group, states that federal help poor college students is less than social unequally. How to reduce social inequality? The government needs to the government support more poor students in financing, and provide more chance for these elites to change their lives though personal ability.

Decrease in social mobility between the poor and the rich break the fairness of their economy. In addition, “America is becoming a stratified society based on education: a meritocracy.”(The Economist, 2005, p.484) Because of increase of local property taxes, rise of cost of education increase such “Hayward is $150,000” (The Economist, 2005, p.484), Advance University become competition form richer kids who were called “meritocracy”. “Class stratification is more than a matter of income or inherited wealth” (The Economist, 2005, p.484). Because of the stratification of the college degree, result the poor and rich were stratifies in social class. Poor students still become poor, and rich students still become rich. This vicious cycle is more contrary to Americas’ equal faith.

In the past, the polarization of rich and poor is not serious like modern society. The biggest reason are poor people had not way to change their living standards, and the rich people have much money to make more money. Most of the bottom families repose their hopes on their next generation. They believe their children could obtain a better life though high technology education. Therefore the government could help their poor children to out of poverty through financing supporting their academic.

Lindsey, B. (2008, March). Culture of Success. The New Republic, 452-456.

Locke, A.(2008) “Born Poor and Smart.” Kennedy, Kennedy 450-51.

The Economist(2005). “Middle of the Class.” The Newspaper Limited: 12-13.

Yglesias, M. (2008). “A Great Time to Be Alive?” Kennedy, 464-66.

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ENGL B1A: Poverty in America: Final Research Paper

• UBI Synthesis Essay
• Tips on Synthesizing
• Final Research Paper
• Exploring Delano Library
• Citing Sources
• Background Info

Picking a Topic

You have been provided with a list of topics related to poverty/income equality (which can be found below). It is not an exhaustive list and you can choose a different topic but you must check in with your professor first. 

Remember that this assignment requires you to research a topic related to income inequality that you don't know about and then take a position by writing an argumentative essay related to that topic. It is recommended that you start by finding and reading general information stories/articles about the topic you think you might be interested in to see if it piques your curiosity. 

To learn about your topics in enough depth and detail, you will need to read- a lot. You need to understand what your topic is, whether you can find enough information to write your essay and find a variety of sources to use when you start to write the paper.

Once you have learned enough about the topic to understand it and have a general opinion about what your think and to create your research question, start the writing process.

Ok, so your class is focusing on Poverty in America and you have the list of some more specific topics in front of you that are "under the umbrella" of your main topic, poverty. You can just pick one and write, right? Ehhhh, I mean you can buuuuut you'll find things to be much easier if you do a bit of pre-search first, not to mention you'll have much more fun!

Your professor has covered the broad topic (the "umbrella topic") of poverty in America throughout your course. This topic is too broad to use for your research paper but it is your guide to narrow down to a smaller topic. Umbrella topics have many different aspects to them, whereas a good topic for a shorter research paper should only have 1 or 2 aspects for you to cover.

Narrowing your topic down to something more specific can be the most difficult part of the process, but your professor has made it much easier on you!  Your professor has provided an amazing list of narrowed down topics and even provided articles for you to conduct your pre-search with (this list and the accompanying articles an be found below).

Read a couple of the articles and find out what you want to learn more about. Maybe you've never heard of the terms "food desert" or "period poverty" and would like to know what's going on with the concept. This is your time to explore that and choose. If you find a topic doesn't interest you, that's okay, move on to try another. Don't forget, you can always get creative with your topic too! If you think of something that resonates with you regarding poverty in America, talk to your professor and find our his thoughts. He'd love to hear from you! 

Possible Topics

• hunger malnutrition, education/learning, lack of medical care, psychological harm, self-esteem, etc.
• Why Rich Kids Are So Good at the Marshmallow Test
• college, K-12, effects, resources, under-education, rich vs. poor in educational opportunities, etc.
• Educational Outcomes (K-12) of poor students vs. wealthy/rich students
• College acceptance and /or opportunities of poor vs. rich
• Lack of job training/vocational options?
• Who has to take out loans for education?
• Who has to pay them back?
• I've Spent more than $60,000 to Pay Back Student Loans and Owe More than When I Began

Justice System and Income Inequality

• Law enforcement treatment of poor vs. rich
• Legal representation of poor vs. rich
• Is poverty the reason for crime? 
• Are those raised in poverty more likely to commit crimes?
• Do lower socio-economic areas experience more crime than other neighborhoods?
• License suspension for unpaid debt
• Wealthy sentenced less harshly because of wealth or better legal representation?
• How are corporate of white-collar criminals treated and/or sentenced vs. others?
• Sobbing Lindsay Lohan Sentenced to 90 Days in Jail

Corporate Issues

• The Truth About Amazon, Food Stamps, and Tax Breaks
• Walmart and McDonald's are among top employers of Medicaid and food stamp beneficiaries, report says
• Sports fans- see NFL/MLB for how citizens are on the hook for the costs of new stadiums
• Bernie Sanders Slams Mitch McConell on $2000 Stimulus Checks
• This Billionaire Governor's Coal Companies Owe Millions More in Environmental Fines
• Amazon offers rare apology, says it will look for solutions to drivers peeing in bottles
• "They Don't Care": US supermarket chain shutters stores after hazard pay rules
• CEO vs. Employee Salaries at America's Top Companies
• Automation and its effects on job market/wages/poverty

Housing Issues in Different Socio-Economic Groups

• Like Basic Income But for Transportation 

Childcare Issues for Working Parents in America

• How is this issue addressed in other countries?
• Government responses/policies related to poverty 
• NAFTA/CAFTA/TPP/etc.
• Georgia Minimum Wage for 2021, 2022
• Guantanamo Whistleblower Alleges "Gross" Wages
• ​​​​​​​Going into debt to receive healthcare
• Effects of no healthcare due to poverty
• Exorbitant cost of medication (i.e. insulin)
• Treatments/Healthcare for rich vs. poor
• ​​​​​​​i.e. COVID, AIDS, Macular Degeneration, etc.

Gender Issues

• ​​​​​​​Women earning less than men for doing the same job
• ​​​​​​​Paid? Unpaid?
• Social issues related to parents unable to bond with newborns

Food Issues

• Access to healthy food in poor communities
• Food Insecurity for Children
• Food Insecurity for College Students

Funeral Costs

• ​​​​​​​Listen to the show for significant details about the cost and issues related to death in low-income households

Period Poverty

• The State of Period Poverty in the US
• Changing the Cycle: Period Poverty as a Public Health Crisis
• New Laws Aim to Prevent "Period Poverty"
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• Next: Exploring Delano Library >>
• Last Updated: Apr 17, 2024 2:07 PM
• URL: https://bakersfieldcollege.libguides.com/PovertyInAmerica

Poverty Essay for Students and Children

500+ words essay on poverty essay.

“Poverty is the worst form of violence”. – Mahatma Gandhi.

How Poverty is Measured?

For measuring poverty United nations have devised two measures of poverty – Absolute & relative poverty.  Absolute poverty is used to measure poverty in developing countries like India. Relative poverty is used to measure poverty in developed countries like the USA. In absolute poverty, a line based on the minimum level of income has been created & is called a poverty line.  If per day income of a family is below this level, then it is poor or below the poverty line. If per day income of a family is above this level, then it is non-poor or above the poverty line. In India, the new poverty line is  Rs 32 in rural areas and Rs 47 in urban areas.

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

Causes of Poverty

According to the Noble prize winner South African leader, Nelson Mandela – “Poverty is not natural, it is manmade”. The above statement is true as the causes of poverty are generally man-made. There are various causes of poverty but the most important is population. Rising population is putting the burden on the resources & budget of countries. Governments are finding difficult to provide food, shelter & employment to the rising population.

The other causes are- lack of education, war, natural disaster, lack of employment, lack of infrastructure, political instability, etc. For instance- lack of employment opportunities makes a person jobless & he is not able to earn enough to fulfill the basic necessities of his family & becomes poor. Lack of education compels a person for less paying jobs & it makes him poorer. Lack of infrastructure means there are no industries, banks, etc. in a country resulting in lack of employment opportunities. Natural disasters like flood, earthquake also contribute to poverty.

In some countries, especially African countries like Somalia, a long period of civil war has made poverty widespread. This is because all the resources & money is being spent in war instead of public welfare. Countries like India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, etc. are prone to natural disasters like cyclone, etc. These disasters occur every year causing poverty to rise.

Ill Effects of Poverty

Poverty affects the life of a poor family. A poor person is not able to take proper food & nutrition &his capacity to work reduces. Reduced capacity to work further reduces his income, making him poorer. Children from poor family never get proper schooling & proper nutrition. They have to work to support their family & this destroys their childhood. Some of them may also involve in crimes like theft, murder, robbery, etc. A poor person remains uneducated & is forced to live under unhygienic conditions in slums. There are no proper sanitation & drinking water facility in slums & he falls ill often &  his health deteriorates. A poor person generally dies an early death. So, all social evils are related to poverty.

Government Schemes to Remove Poverty

The government of India also took several measures to eradicate poverty from India. Some of them are – creating employment opportunities , controlling population, etc. In India, about 60% of the population is still dependent on agriculture for its livelihood. Government has taken certain measures to promote agriculture in India. The government constructed certain dams & canals in our country to provide easy availability of water for irrigation. Government has also taken steps for the cheap availability of seeds & farming equipment to promote agriculture. Government is also promoting farming of cash crops like cotton, instead of food crops. In cities, the government is promoting industrialization to create more jobs. Government has also opened  ‘Ration shops’. Other measures include providing free & compulsory education for children up to 14 years of age, scholarship to deserving students from a poor background, providing subsidized houses to poor people, etc.

Poverty is a social evil, we can also contribute to control it. For example- we can simply donate old clothes to poor people, we can also sponsor the education of a poor child or we can utilize our free time by teaching poor students. Remember before wasting food, somebody is still sleeping hungry.

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Poverty in “A Theology of Liberation” by Gutierrez Research Paper

Introduction, the three states of poverty, commitment and protest in a struggle for justice.

Bibliography

Gustavo Gutierrez has speculated on the efficacy of the theological method of administering poverty. In his reflections, among other things, he exposes three states of poverty which are well described in “A Theology of Liberation” (2016IntroChristianity4.pptx). As per Gutierrez, voluntary poverty is argued for as the most optimal way of struggling against poverty which must not be idealized.

The three states of poverty include poverty as a “scandalous condition,” “spiritual childhood,” and a synthesis of the two which might be deemed voluntary. The first one stands for material poverty, which is a lack of property. On the other hand, this state of poverty is not solely materialistic. A poor person is the one who is deprived of empirical and esthetic values as well. This is the reason for Gutierrez to assert that such poverty is designed to dehumanize: the materially and spiritually incapacitated do not realize they are being exploited and abused (2016IntroChristianity4.pptx).

Contrary to the first one, the second state which is described as “spiritual childhood” can be summed up as letting God into one’s life and becoming a witness – and a focus – of His presence. This state is characterized by indifference to property; however, as Gutierrez states, this indifference is rather ambiguous. Being indifferent to material entities cast doubt upon a person’s eagerness to the spiritual ones. As per Gutierrez’s experience, the poor who long for the property are the most willing to welcome God, which is why the indifference does not indicate religious predisposition (2016IntroChristianity4.pptx). A synthesis of these two states of poverty is the deliberate one, the one accepted out of solidarity and protestation.

The most critical aspect in which this state deviates from the former two is that a poor person perfectly understands the necessity to abide with God and, simultaneously, the debilitating effect of poverty. Such a person believes that, with the exclusion of the poor from society, God is excluded as well. Which is why, Gutierrez states, the voluntary poor are the most efficient in their attempts to administer poverty (2016IntroChristianity4.pptx).

The main goal that voluntary poverty sets is, thus, showing commitment and solidarity to the poor. This is done not to praise poverty as such but to help the poor. The voluntary poor are de facto committing a breach with their social status to communicate the way they are abused to the “scandalous condition” sufferers and help the “spiritual children” perceive another way of letting Christ into their lives. The voluntary poor are the ones who better understand the impropriety of idealizing poverty, as per Gutierrez. His position is that poverty is the ultimate evil that handicaps and dehumanizes people and must be abolished.

For that sake, the evil should be witnessed and fixed by those who can sympathize sincerely and conscientiously. Poverty is the exact opposite of justice, Gutierrez states, and the struggle for a just world begins with commitment with the poor and objection against their condition. The justice is, thus, constituted by the presence of God, the protest, and the commitment that is the only way to fight the evil that should by no means be idealized or overlooked (2016IntroChristianity4.pptx).

To conclude, Gutierrez states the necessity to struggle against poverty through sympathy and commitment. These will help witness the evil, as opposed to the idealization of it, and eventually eradicate it in the long run.

Gutierrez, Gustavo. A Theology of Liberation: History, Politics, and Salvation . Translated by Sister Caridad Inda and John Eagleson. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 1973.

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IvyPanda. (2020, July 18). Poverty in “A Theology of Liberation” by Gutierrez. https://ivypanda.com/essays/poverty-in-a-theology-of-liberation-by-gutierrez/

"Poverty in “A Theology of Liberation” by Gutierrez." IvyPanda , 18 July 2020, ivypanda.com/essays/poverty-in-a-theology-of-liberation-by-gutierrez/.

IvyPanda . (2020) 'Poverty in “A Theology of Liberation” by Gutierrez'. 18 July.

IvyPanda . 2020. "Poverty in “A Theology of Liberation” by Gutierrez." July 18, 2020. https://ivypanda.com/essays/poverty-in-a-theology-of-liberation-by-gutierrez/.

1. IvyPanda . "Poverty in “A Theology of Liberation” by Gutierrez." July 18, 2020. https://ivypanda.com/essays/poverty-in-a-theology-of-liberation-by-gutierrez/.

IvyPanda . "Poverty in “A Theology of Liberation” by Gutierrez." July 18, 2020. https://ivypanda.com/essays/poverty-in-a-theology-of-liberation-by-gutierrez/.

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