Coralee Harding
Devon Adams
WP#3 Final
November 19, 2007
Poverty in America
There is a family living ten houses down from you. Do you know them? Last night they had to decide if they should buy groceries or put gas in their car. In fact, one out of every ten families in the United States struggle with this same problem (Triplett). On your way to work this morning you passed a man sitting on the street corner. Did you notice him? There was a 70% chance he was severely mentally handicapped, a United States veteran, or had children hiding in the shade behind the bushes (Triplett). While walking through the parking lot, finding your way into the store, you passed a parked car. That was somebody's home. The woman inside had no family or friends, no address to put on her welfare application. This woman was denied government aid because of it. Although the government of the United States of America provides welfare for their citizens suffering from poverty, it is not enough. To lower the number of people living in poverty, there must be changes made within the government. There must be more easily attainable aid for people who need and deserve it. Instead of increasing the restrictions to receive aid, the restrictions should be lowered and monitored more carefully.
Since 1935 the government has been trying to aid people suffering from poverty. They have tried several methods and passed several laws to help solve this issue. Some of the first attempts to give aid included poorhouses and orphanages. During this period of time, people would not accept the government's help unless they were extremely desperate. Those who were allowed the government's help were often shunned and rejected by their friends and neighbors. A few years after the poorhouses opened, the "mother's pension" took effect which gave money to single mothers to allow them to stay at home and raise their children. This did not include mothers who were divorced or minorities. In 1935 the Social Security Act was established and the welfare of the people was put into the hands of the federal government. These new laws established old-age pensions and unemployment insurance but did not include farm workers or servants. Since then, the divorce rate skyrocketed and single mothers with children were able to receive government aid. In 1996 welfare control was mostly given back to the states, and no longer a federal responsibility (Hayes).
Poverty is something that can happen to anyone. Nobody expects or wants to live life in poverty, and yet it effects over 2 million Americans per year (Triplett). Poverty is an ongoing issue in America. Evidence shows that 10% of families living in this nation struggle with poverty (Triplett). Chances are that you have a friend, coworker, or relative living in poverty. These people may not appear to be struggling, but behind closed doors they suffer. For families who have a working parent, regardless of their actual income, it is very difficult for them to qualify for government aid. These families are below the average income of $52, 704, but above the poverty average of $18, 400. If these families are lucky enough to qualify for a government food assistance program, such as food stamps, the average amount of redeemable food stamps is $2.34 per day, per person (Library Index). It is extremely difficult to eat three healthy, well-balanced meals for $7.02 a day.
The majority of people suffering from poverty are people who deserve government aid the most. 40% of people living in poverty are families, 30% are substance abusers, 23% are severely mentally ill, and 10% are veterans. 17% of those in poverty are employed (Triplett). A single mother heads most families living in poverty. Studies show that singles mothers are most likely to live in poverty for long periods of time (Triplett). Substance abuse is a huge issue in America, especially among teenagers. The teens that are addicted to drugs or alcohol are the ones you will most likely see living in the streets as adults. Severely mentally ill people usually have no control over their financial situation. These people are often overlooked as people in need of aid. Not every mentally ill person has somebody to look after them. If they have no one who cares enough about them, they are forced to live a confused life on the streets. Veterans deserve so much more than what they are given by the government. Each one deserves to be respected and admired, not viewed as just another homeless person.
One major downfall of the government's welfare program is its capability to cause dependency. "75 percent of all welfare recipients remain on the program five years or longer" (Coral Ridge Ministries). Some critics believe if we cut off all government aid from the people, it will force those in poverty to become more self-reliant. Government aid should not be a permanent crutch for people to lean on, but a short-term support system for people in poverty. Welfare and food stamps are meant for people to use in emergency situations, and to help them get back on their feet. Yet many people on welfare are abusing their benefits. "A study by the Congressional Budget Office showed that long periods of welfare dependency can actually reduce a child’s IQ by as much as 20 percent." (Coral Ridge Ministries). Children living in poverty, and who rely on government welfare, often feel that they will live in the same condition when they are adults and do not strive to become better. If there were no welfare programs for people living in poverty, some believe there would be less people allowing themselves to suffer in poverty and relying on the government's aid. This is why the government must improve the welfare program. They must create a program that is for people who really need assistance, and only for a short period of time in most circumstances.
After nearly 100 years of attempting to aid the poor, the government has yet to succeed. The number of people receiving welfare has gone down over the years, but the restrictions to receive aid have gone up. Major changes must be made in the way that the government handles poverty. There are two groups of people who have the ultimate power to change the life of those suffering. The United States government and American voters. The government can construct laws, and voters have the ability to pass or petition them. Americans also have the ability to aid on a more personal level.
In the current welfare program, people can apply for welfare or food stamps and if they meet the right qualifications, they receive their stamps and/or money once a month. Instead of giving away money or food redeemable coupons, the government can provide short-term jobs. This will force people to earn their money and in turn they will value it more. Special occupations can be set-aside for people in poverty such as working in public libraries, post offices, picking up trash on the streets, roadway construction, and other various government jobs. By doing this, the government will be receiving a service for the money that they are now giving out. Employers can also volunteer simple employment positions and allow the government to fill those positions with people struggling with poverty. This will allow families to live better lives. One issue that could arise from this is that many people in poverty do not own vehicles or have transportation to get to and from work. To solve this issue the government could provide a short-term bus pass that is usable until they receive their first paycheck.
Changes also need to be made to accommodate the homeless. Right now the government requires that you provide an address on the welfare application. If a homeless person does not have a family member's or a friend’s address that they can provide, they are not eligible to receive government aid. This ensures that the homeless will stay homeless and does not help them in any way. Instead of receiving their money or food stamps by mail, they can be held at the post office for the person to pick up, or at a local government office.
The government needs to require schools to educate students on the widespread issue of poverty. This will help children to understand the negative effects of poverty. They can also be taught how to receive long-lasting jobs so they will lower their chances of falling into poverty. This will also teach children how to get out of poverty if they are ever involved in it. By doing this, it will lower the number of people living in poverty in the future by the thousands.
In Arizona there is a large facility organized by a church called Randolph. It is similar to an assisted living facility for the elderly, but it is specifically for the severely mentally disabled. There are several small cabin-like homes where four to five mentally ill people occupy each one. There are trained assistants assigned to each of these homes. Several church groups and other organizations come and visit these people and volunteer during meals and activities. This facility is being forced to close due to lack of funding. The government is able to help fund this program and help keep it open, essentially keeping more mentally disabled people out of poverty, but they do not. It would also be beneficial if the government would open more facilities like this one to aid the mentally disabled.
We, as Americans, are given the ability to vote. Several citizens, however, do not take advantage of this right. Unlike many countries, Americans have the power to pass or petition laws. By carefully choosing the laws that are passed, Americans can make the difference in the lives of others, in their own lives, and the lives of those in poverty. When people do not vote, they are placing their future in the hands of those that do vote, who may have a different opinion.
Another way that Americans can get involved in helping aid people in poverty is by volunteering. There is a charity center in Mesa, Arizona called the Humanitarian Organization. Everybody who works there does so without being paid, and anybody is welcome to volunteer. They iron fabric, cut it into squares, design, and then sew quilts for adults and children who cannot afford them. Nobody working there is a professional quilt maker, but if a person is freezing, they don't care what the quilt looks like, as long as it keeps them warm and alive. They recently started producing hand-knit hats for babies. Since they started delivering them, the babies were able to keep a normal body temperature, and their death rate has decreased (Markland A4). There are also canneries that produce and can food for the homeless, as well as food banks and other charitable organizations that are always in need of volunteers. If a person does not have time to help by volunteering, monetary donations are accepted at all of these places.
Poverty is an issue that may never be completely solved. There are major changes that need to be made by the government, and by people living in poverty for it to be fixed. Improvements need to be made to the welfare program, and new helpful programs need to be established. Although the United States government has made changes and reforms to welfare, they have not been very effective. There are always people who need government aid who get left out. To solve this problem it takes the government to create the laws, and the American people to put them into effect.
Bibliography
Clemmitt, Marcia. "Evaluating Head Start." CQ Researcher 15.29 (2005): 685-708. CQ Researcher Online. CQ Press. Paul A. Elsner Library, Mesa, AZ. 11 Oct. 2007
This book is about the preschool program Head Start that directed for poor children. It has recently been a topic considered by the government. Right now they are deciding how to improve this program and if they want to put it in the hands of state officials instead of the federal government. Although Head Start proves to be working well for these children, they are now requiring that 50% of all the teacher have at least a Bachelors degree by 2011. This is one thing that the government is doing right. They are helping children to see they can have a good future, and not destined to live in poverty as they are now.
Cooper, Mary H. "The Working Poor." CQ Researcher 5.41 (1995): 969-992. CQ Researcher Online. CQ Press. Paul A. Elsner Library, Mesa, AZ. 19 Sept. 2007 < http://library.cqpress.com/cqresearcher/cqresrre1995110300 >.
The author who wrote this book is extremely passionate about this issue. She gives great detail about the issue, and has interviewed several people about this topic. The author explains in detail what people on welfare can get, and if they are receiving enough aid to support themselves and their family. She feels strongly that people in poverty are not receiving enough aid. This book gives facts as well as emotional appeal, and using these two strategies allowed me to see clear answers to my research question.
Coral Ridge Ministries. "Issues Tearing Our Nation's Fabric." 13 July 2002. Leadership University. Mesa, Arizona. 14 Nov. 2007.
This webpage is the only resource I was able find that was opposing the government's aid to poverty. This is about how the welfare system is completely useless and not effective. This author believes that more emotional damage is caused by the welfare program than the damage from living in poverty. Suprisingly this webpage is made by a church organization. It then gives several quotes from the Bible on how people who are idle and do not work will suffer, and basically that they deserve it. This is true, but not everybody suffering from poverty chooses to be there. This author proposes to make all welfare programs faith-based where people can receive "life-saving spiritual and moral counceling."
Hayes, Bill. "Bill of Rights in Action." 1998. Constitutional Rights Foundation. Mesa, AZ. 14 Nov. 2007.
This webpage describes the history of welfare in the United States. It discusses the first welfare program that was established in the United States and people's reactions. It describes all of the welfare programs that were ever established in America and who they catered to. It also shows the differences in welfare from when to federal government was in control and how it is with the states in control. This webpage also discusses topics that the government was debating about at the time it was written. Such as, Should there be lifetime limits of five years or less on the welfare benefits families may receive?
Holosko, Michael, and Marvin Feit. "Living in Poverty in America Today." Journal of Health & Social Policy. 21.1 (2005): 119-131.
This book is about poverty in America today. It discusses health issues several people living in poverty are subject to. One common health issue is hunger. Several people living in poverty cannot afford to eat enough to sustain their own body. Another health concern many people in poverty are facing is lack of nutrition. If they are lucky enough to afford food, it is not usually a healthy, well-rounded meal. This book also discusses emotional effects caused by poverty. These are all issues that I would like to cover in my research paper.
Koch, Kathy. "Hunger in America." CQ Researcher 10.44 (2000): 1033-1056. CQ Researcher Online. CQ Press. Paul A. Elsner Library, Mesa, AZ. 4 Oct. 2007 < http://library.cqpress.com/cqresearcher/cqresrre2000122200 >.
This book is specifically about hunger issues in America. This book gives numbers and statistics about poverty, and also talks about how many people are declined for food stamps. The author talks about how the governments eligibility requirements are too tight for people to get help. This book is directly about the topic I am focusing on in my paper. This is something that I will concentrate on in my project since eating is required for everybody to live and everyone can relate to it. This source is very strong compared to the other one's that I have chosen.
Markland, Cecily. "Mesa Humanitarian Center, Service Felt Around the World." The Beehive 9 July 2007: A4+.
This article is about the Mesa Humanitarian Center in Mesa Arizona. It describes everything that this organization does for this country, and countries around the world. For example they donate thousands of quilts, hiegyn kits, toys, and other various needs to people around the world. They are 100% ran by people who volunteer their time and money, and everything they distribute is donated. This center is just one of many in the United States that is dedicated to serving those in need.
"Poverty in America, One Nation, Pulling Apart." Pennsylvania State University. 11 Oct. 2007. < http://www.povertyinamerica.psu.edu/ >
This website is dedicated to informing about poverty in America. It describes how America is pulling itself apart and several communities are below the standard of the economic average. This website discusses the people who are most at risk for ending up in poverty and how most people are living in poverty at no fault of their own. This website also goes into how children are physiologically effected and that they feel they will live in the same conditions as their parents when they are adults themselves. This website targets several areas that I will focus on in my research paper. Some of these areas include the types of people who are most likely to live in poverty, and the effects poverty has on children.
Triplett, William. "Ending Homelessness." CQ Researcher 14.23 (2004): 541-564. CQ Researcher Online. CQ Press. Paul A. Elsner Library, Mesa, AZ. 30 Oct. 2007
This book gives several statistics on poverty. The author breaks down the people who are living in poverty, and the government aid that they each are able to receive. The percentages of people living in poverty are as follows: 40% of people living in poverty are families, 30% are substance abusers, 23% are severely mentally ill, and 10% are veterans. This website also gives statistics on the number of people living in poverty, and what race they are. I used this book as a resource several times while writing my paper.
Worsnop, Richard L. "Helping the Homeless." CQ Researcher 6.4 (1996): 73-96. CQ Researcher Online. CQ Press. Paul A. Elsner Library, Mesa, AZ. 4 Oct. 2007 < http://library.cqpress.com/cqresearcher/cqresrre1996012600 >. This book is about the government problems, what they are doing wrong, and how they can make changes and start helping the homeless in better ways. It talks about how there are not very many improvements being made to help poverty. It also talks about how some cities are changing their boundaries to exclude the homeless, and cutting them off from their benefits. It also describes how people do not accept group homes and homeless shelters well. This book covers American's reactions to the homeless. This source targets the government and American people. Among other things, I will use these two targets in my research paper, however, I will focus less on the government and more on Americans reactions and actions to people in poverty. This source is strong in certain areas, such as American's reactions.
Library Index. Net Industries. 20 Nov. 2007.
This is an informational website about poverty in the United States. It discusses the background of poverty and the differences between the first stages of poverty and how it is now. It also has a chart with all the medium incomes of families. This website also discusses tax relief for the poor, the accuracy of the poverty level, hunger in America, and the growing demand for emergency food assistance. This website gives several statistics in various areas of poverty.
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