...Poverty in India Absolute poverty or destitution is the term used to describe deprivation of basic human needs i.e. food, water, sanitation, clothing, shelter, health care and education. While relative poverty refers to economic inequality in a particular location or society in which people live (The Economist, 2010). India has 1/3rd of World’s poorest population according to World Bank and it has been facing significantly high levels of poverty with most people living in agrarian and rural communities where 77%of poor Indians live. India is amongst the globally largest countries and thus poverty has a considerable pressure and weight on the country; about three-quarters of India’s population reside in rural areas and suffer higher levels of poverty regardless of efforts and policies being implemented from the past four decades (Prato & Longo, 2012). The rates of poverty in the country are affected by issues such as presence of factors, population density, ecological conditions and irrigation facilities etc. While there are other factors too that influence the level of poverty in rural areas of India i.e. caste, land ownership, literacy and gender (Yusuf, 2014). Impacts of Openness and Literacy rate on poverty in India Degree of openness refers to an economic metric, calculated as the ratio of country's total trade, the sum of exports plus imports, to the country's gross domestic product. The interpretation of the Openness Index is the higher the index the larger...
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...than 13 million children (19 percent of all children) under age eighteen lived in families with incomes below the official poverty threshold. Although children age eighteen and under represent 26 percent of the United States population, they comprise nearly 40 percent of the poverty population. Despite a steady decrease from 1993 (23%) to 1999 (17%) in the rate of children in poverty, the United States still ranks highest in childhood poverty among all industrialized nations. In the United States, income poverty is defined by the poverty threshold, developed in 1959 and based on expected food expenditures (thrifty food basket) for families of varying sizes. Each year the threshold is adjusted for the Consumer Price Index cost of living. In 1999, the poverty threshold for a single mother raising two children was $13,423. Researchers have criticized the poverty threshold on numerous counts. First, government transfers such as food stamps and housing subsidies as well as tax benefits (e.g., the Earned Income Tax Credit) and tax payments are not included when assessing the poverty threshold. Second, regional and urban differences in the cost of living are not considered when computing the poverty threshold. Despite the criticisms levied against the way poverty is assessed in the United States, the current review highlights research that has used this definition of poverty, while acknowledging its weaknesses. This article reviews the literature linking family poverty to children's...
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...Statistics on Poverty II – (Updated) Source: The US Census Bureau * The Census Bureau today released data indicating that the overall poverty rate in 2011 was 15.0 percent – statistically unchanged from 15.1 percent in 2010. This represents 46.2 million people living in poverty in 2011. * Median household income was $50,054 in 2011, which is a statistically significant decrease of 1.5 percent from 2010. * Today’s data indicate that there were 16.1 million children (persons under 18) living in poverty in 2011, not significantly changed from 2010. The child poverty rate was 21.9 percent, not significantly changed from the 2010 rate of 22.0 percent. * For African-American children, the poverty rate reported today was 37.4 percent for 2011. The rate for Hispanic children was 34.1 percent. For non-Hispanic, White children the rate was 12.5 percent. * Children living in female-headed families with no spouse present had a poverty rate of 47.6 percent, over four times the rate of children in married-couple families (10.9 percent). * The poverty rate for people age 65 and over was 8.7 percent, statistically unchanged from 2010. * In 2011, 6.6 percent of all people, or 20.4 million people, lived in deep poverty (had income below one-half the poverty threshold, or $11,511 for a family of four). * The overall poverty rate of 15.0 percent in 2011 did not change significantly from 2010. In contrast, the poverty rate had risen significantly in seven of...
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...200 children die away from the glare of media attention The year 2004 ended with an event that demonstrated the destructive power of nature and the regenerative power of human compassion. The tsunami that swept across the Indian Ocean left some 300,000 people dead. Millions more were left homeless. Within days of the tsunami, one of the worst natural disasters in recent history had given rise to the world’s greatest international relief effort, showing what can be achieved through global solidarity when the international community commits itself to a great endeavour. The tsunami was a highly visible, unpredictable and largely unpreventable tragedy. Other tragedies are less visible, monotonously predictable and readily preventable. Every hour more than 1,200 children die away from the glare of media attention. This is equivalent to three tsunamis a month, every month, hitting the world’s most vulnerable citizens—its children. The causes of death will vary, but the overwhelming majority can be traced to a single pathology: poverty. Unlike the tsunami, that pathology is preventable. With today’s technology, financial resources and accumulated knowledge, the world has the capacity to overcome extreme deprivation. Yet as an international community we allow poverty to destroy lives on a scale that dwarfs the impact of the tsunami. Five years ago, at the start of the new millennium, the world’s governments united to make a remarkable promise to the victims of global poverty. Meeting...
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...HIV/AIDS in the Deep South Melony C. Haynes Baptist College of Health Sciences Abstract This paper examined HIV/AIDS in the Southern Region specifically the Deep South. Fundamental Causes and Proximate Factors were examined to explain and understand the high cases of HIV/AIDS in the Deep South. Poverty, lack of access to health care, lack of education, and prison policies were the reasons examined to explain the high cases of HIV/AIDS in the south. Populations at higher risk and why they are at higher risk were examined. These populations were: drug users, prisoners, African Americans, and women who experience domestic violence. HIV/AIDS in the Deep South HIV/AIDS at one time was considered a death sentence. There was not much information about the disease, much less a cure for the disease. However, there have been many strides made over the years. More money, time, and resources have been provided for the research of the virus. The research has identified how the virus is contracted and spread, as well as how it affects an individual’s body. The research also identified prevention methods and the medication that can be taken to treat the disease. Since the first cases of the disease in the late seventies to current day, the life expectancies of individuals are improving. For example Irvin “Magic” Johnson a famous ex-basketball player announced twenty years ago he was HIV positive. Very few people expected him to live this long because at that time the...
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...Harsh Damages of Poverty and Possible Solutions As the increasing number of individuals affected by the consequences of poverty become more detrimental to society, the need for an assertive set of solutions becomes crucial. Poverty imposes major issues on all members of society, specifically children and families. Improving these scarce conditions can be considered both an opportunity and a responsibility placed on individuals within each community. While those who are fortunate may never fall victim to the issues caused by poverty, these individuals and their cooperative participation remain vital to a societal victory over poverty. Also, poverty, although it only affects some, is always considered a dangerous threat to humanity due to numerous aspects of life it can destroy or harm. In conclusion, it is necessary to create general solutions that will improve and benefit the lives of millions, while also tailoring these resolutions to target the particular concerns it poses to all groups separately. Poverty causes harsh damages to many groups and aspects of society; therefore it is vital for our nation to help the 44 million people who are unable to meet their basic needs. For example, the 1.4 billion people in our world who are currently living in extreme poverty live on less than $1.25 a day. This buys no more than basic food, clean water and enough cooking fuel to produce two simple meals (Moss). Having this issue during the recession causes a deep impact on both the...
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...“The challenge of development: abject children disregarded by education.” It is ago. Now, we are haunted again. This has been proven for centuries; the key to address this horrible fact lies in our hands. According to a report by the World Poverty Statistics in 2012, 1 billion out 2.2 billion children worldwide is living in poverty. 22,000 children die each day because of hunger. An estimated 870 million people worldwide do not have enough food to eat and 80 percent of the world population lives on less than 400 pesos a day. Because of this awful reality, the United Nations have listed them on the top priority and concerns of the world. Education for All (EPA) is seen to address this problem. As cited in the Millennium Development Goals which is to open the doors and expand the opportunities for education to all mankind. There are a lot of solutions for poverty but I believe that the main key is education. As we all know, education enriches the traits and identity of one individual, as well as his or her intellectual capabilities. It provides knowledge and enables any man and woman to put his or her potentials to optimal use. As a result, it raises a person from deep scarcity to finest job opportunity. However, do all populace have the right to education? Education is a fundamental human right. Every individual, irrespective of race, gender, nationality, ethnic or social origin, religion or political preference, age or disability, is entitled to a free elementary education...
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...Poverty in America: An Overview Stephanie Tran Pol S 310 Professor Strohman Iowa State University Some people may argue that the American dream is no longer achievable. Perhaps it was, but as time lapses and history takes its course, the pursuit itself may appear meeker. Today, most people would agree that the economy “is bad,” but what does that truly mean? A “bad economy” may impact some families on a more personal level than it appears. There are 20.6 million people in the United States who live in deep poverty, 6 million of whom have no income (Edelman). A family that lives in poverty is not always obvious to the eye. When a person thinks of “poverty,” he or she may think of developing countries with people who live with little to no food, shelter, or clothing. They may think of the too-thin African children in black and white commercials with the sad music trying to guilt viewers to send money. However, in America, poverty is a little more complex than that, and standards for poverty here are different than that of Africa, Asia, or Mexico. While poverty in the United States may still include an income, free education for children, and a place to live, it still may entail food insecurity, debt, lack of basic necessities, and the weight of stress and pressure from society that can take a huge emotional toll on a family. Poverty in the United States is a very real problem, and many people are unaware of the impacts of it. In the United States, the poverty rate...
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...INTRODUCTION According to the U.S Census Bureau 46.2 million Americans are under the poverty line, that's 15.7 percent of the population. This country has done a lot to help the poor, so, why is poverty rising? Are the anti-poverty programs that are now in place not working? The Center on Budget reports that our anti-poverty efforts were effective in keeping millions of Americans out of poverty in the current economic crisis. Existing policies and new initiatives kept people from falling into poverty; these programs reduced the severity of poverty. TANF was created by the 1996 welfare reform law to replace AFDC (Aid to Families with Dependent Children). Under the TANF structure, the federal government provides a block grant to the states, which use these funds to operate their own programs. States can use TANF dollars in ways designed to meet any of the four purposes set out in federal law, which are to: “(1) provide assistance to needy families so that children may be cared for in their own homes or in the homes of relatives; (2) end the dependence of needy parents on government benefits by promoting job preparation, work, and marriage; (3) prevent and reduce the incidence of out-of-wedlock pregnancies and establish annual numerical goals for preventing and reducing the incidence of these pregnancies; and (4) encourage the formation and maintenance of two-parent families.” This paper will examine the TANF program from inception to determine how effective the program has performed...
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...Section 1: Growing up in poverty Poverty is everywhere, It is in every race and every country. A child that grows up in poverty is largely at risk because he or she may speak another language, or be less healthy, or has even been abused in one way or another. When children are in the school system and they are labeled “at-risk” and that means that the student comes from a low-socioeconomic level or speaks another language. Today, there are more single parents, dual earner couples, and parents with more than one job living in both rural and urban areas in the United States than at any other time in history. Statistics show there is approximately one in five American children who live below the national poverty level (Causes of Poverty). In today’s society, many people live below the poverty line and those numbers continue to increase because of our high unemployment rates. The Census Bureau reported that 12% of Americans live in poverty. According to the Department of Health and Human Services, the poverty level in 2009 for a family of four was $22,050. With today's unfortunate down turn of events in our economy, many families struggle to earn and still do not come close to that level. Welfare reform in the United States may pressure single mothers to be gainfully employed even though child care is extremely expensive and the mother may only have an income of minimum wage. At-risk children face so many seemingly insurmountable obstacles. The children who are from economically...
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...extent of the oppression and racism of the American government towards its black citizens and how the nation could repay them. The underlying notions of racism have roots deep into the history of America. Dating back to slavery, black people in America have been abused politically, socially, and economically. We as a country have tried several times to make amends for these damages, only to have them to drive the divide further. The government created laws and bills that have been disguised to socially and economically benefit the disadvantaged of society. However, it did not work in favor of black citizens. It created a biased system, one that disproportionately benefitted...
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...Poverty in the Philippines This term paper. We will tackle a topic about Poverty. All of us know Poverty but where the word poverty comes from? Who is the person behind this word? What is the reason why there’s poverty? It is because of the poor people/Urban people or because of the Corruption here in the Philippines? Is it because of the Unemployed people or is it because of laziness to find job that fits their skills? The word poverty comes from old French poverté (Modern French: pauvreté), from Latin paupertās from pauper (poor). The English word "poverty" via Anglo-Norman povert. There are several definitions of poverty depending on the context of the situation it is placed in, and the views of the person giving the definition. And Mahatma Gandhi once said that “poverty is the worst form of violence.” Today, more than half the population on Earth is living in poverty. Some people may think that poverty is being hungry and homeless, but poverty has deep roots spread throughout the countries and making it even more implanted in the people. The causes of poverty are several, and each country can have causes that differ from other countries. But still, the main causes of poverty can be narrowed down into three main ideas, social causes, political causes and economic causes. First is the social causes of poverty can be narrowed down to two main topics, overpopulation and education. Overpopulation, as defined by Fight Poverty organization is when a number of people live in a...
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...however when the topic of generational poverty and socioeconomic backgrounds are approached it seems to fall to choice more often than not. If we can agree that a child can be born into affluence, why then is it so difficult to believe a child can inherit poverty as well?(Beegle, D. 2007) Generational Poverty is a complex issue requiring a holistic approach. Upcoming generations must actively work against the cycle of poverty. There are so many stigmas attached to devastating issues that it is difficult to identify the causes. It would seem that the major focus is the effects of poverty, not the causes. This is the case with generational poverty which is saddening; if the why is not identified, how then can a course of action be set into motion? Too often it is said, “Poverty is a choice, it’s their fault” and this could not be further from the truth. One of the most difficult issues around generational poverty is the way it is viewed by society and the other is the way political parties pass the buck back and forth. These views keep the issue stuck in the problematic zone, where no one is accountable and nothing can be done. (Search for Clarity and Truth. Pitts, S., Conservative. Kalamaya, R., Liberal.). So once the buck stops, if it stops at all, only then can the causes can be addressed. Where exactly does poverty stem from and what are the barriers that prevent people from escaping this inheritance? In his article “Poverty, Family Stress and Parenting”, Dr. Zahid...
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...alone in his assessment of social welfare programs. Indeed while the notion of using public funds to help the destitue get back on their feet in a noble concept for left-leaning idealists, in practical application, it has generated more controversy from both sides of the American political aisle than it has addressed poverty in America. This contorvery has become more heated in light of the two recessions and the housing collapse of late 2009. For this research paper, I will be going the history of Welfare in America. The purpose of this research paper is to look at how and why welfare became a policy and how it has changed since its inception. The sources that I have used are from published literature. In conclusion, the reader will have better knowledge on welfare, the history and changes. I first became interested in the subject of Welfare after working for the Ohio Department of Jobs and Family services; where I met with families and processed their eligibilty for: Food Stamps, Ohio Works First (cash assistence) and Medicaid. Unfortuanlty, durning my training as a case worker no history was given, I did not know that AFDC (aid for dependent children) had become TANF (Temporary Aid For Needy Familes). Looking at the names I wanted to know how did policy change when the name changed and when? As I can recall my parents were never on government assistence and if they had been, I being a child was not privy to familes financial status. Welfare, a public policy concept...
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...the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund reported that 20 percent of worlds’ children population are in India. India children population for ages 0 to14 exceeded the Chinese children population in 2010 by 66 million (UNICEF 3). However, India has the world’s largest children population, not all Indians children have the same opportunity to grow up healthy, educated, and able to fulfil their desires and potential as other children from other nations around the world. Forty percent of children in India are vulnerable to experience difficulties (Actionaid India, 9). Extreme poverty, social stratification, lack of education, and child labor have had devastating consequences on India’s children; these reasons are the main causes that create the phenomenon of street children in India, and especially in Mumbai. Many poor households due to the low wages in adult labor market have sent their children to the streets of busy cities such Mumbai to earn supplementary income to help their families to survive. India’s caste system also deeps the gap between poor and rich, and increases the social stratification between the social classes. Therefore, many poor families have found themselves forced to exclude their children from education to help them earning extra income to pay for basic life’s needs. In my paper, I will examine the causes, effects, and consequences of street children problem in Mumbai from sociological prospective using our textbook “ Society the Basics” by John...
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