Poverty in America and Inequality - 798 Words

â€Å"Poverty is the worst form of violence.† Mahatma Gandhi’s words still ring true in today’s society. Poverty is nothing to sweep under the rug or put on the back burner. While many statistics state that poverty is decreasing, other sources state the opposite. Poverty is a hot topic in the U.S., foreign countries, and speaks true about many genders, ethnic groups, and children. Poverty is present in today’s U.S. social system. For example, as Lesser states in the Clearinghouse Review, â€Å"Forty-six million Americans live in poverty† (1). Lesser then goes on to say how forty-six million Americans living in poverty correlates to almost one in every three single-parent families is poor (1). This is a daunting fact as it applies to today’s economic context with â€Å"rising unemployment rates and mortgage crises driving more individuals and families to seek the support of a cash-strapped social welfare structure† (Grijalva 1). With this in mind, many legislators are discussing the topic of poverty in the political realm. In order to tally the score of representatives the Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law conducted its sixth annual Poverty Scorecard. â€Å"The 2012 Poverty Scorecard grades the voting record of every U.S. senator and representative on the most important poverty-related votes in 2012† (Lesser 1). The 2012 votes covered a range of topics such as budget and tax, food and nutrition, health care, housing, and many more (1). The results of the 2012 PovertyShow MoreRelatedPoverty And Poverty : America s Income Inequality1127 Words   |  5 Pagesin reference to America’s income inequality. Though ironic, it comes as no surprise that America, a continent that easily trumps other countries in terms of wealth would be affected by the issue of poverty at such high levels. While much has said regarding the poverty levels, many economists, educators and scholars feel tha t the income inequality in America may be the reason why it is difficult to live and maintain a middle class lifestyle or to rise out of poverty into the middle class in the currentRead MorePoverty And Inequality Between The United States Of America And India Essay2035 Words   |  9 Pagesthe key differences in poverty and inequality between the United States of America and India. We chose these two countries to analyze as inequality and poverty are difficult to compare and contrast on a global scale between all 196 countries. India and USA are also similar at key fundamental levels. We will compare the USA and India across eight key areas in order to come to a conclusion on the driving factors that have created the clear disparities in inequality and poverty between the two countriesRead MorePoverty Inequality Is Necessary For Many Reasons For Poverty869 Words   |  4 Pagesfood on the table, not being able to pay medical expenses, and more. Inequality is a real problem in Amer ica when it comes to social classes. The inequality has been rising throughout the years. There are many solutions to this problem that have been proposed such as taxing the rich more, or reducing the costs of public colleges, so these people can get educated and get out of poverty. Although this is an issue, some of this inequality is needed in America’s capitalist economy to stimulate productivityRead MoreSklar and the Economist: Inequality in America1687 Words   |  7 PagesAmerica was once known as the land of opportunity. However, that is no longer the case. Americans are still suffering from a depression that began three years ago in 2008. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2007, the United States unemployment rates were 4.6 percent. In 2009, one year after the depression began, the unemployment rate rose to 7.6 percent. Millions of Americans are living in poverty, unable to afford the basic necessities. On the other hand, there is a minuscule percentRea d MorePoverty in Latin America805 Words   |  4 PagesThis paper will discuss the poverty in Latin America. Latin America has always been in poverty and although there have been some ups and downs, the poverty level remains great. First, we will discuss the region that is known as Latin America, the determining factors of poverty, the statistics and history of the poverty in Latin America and the future of the poverty in Latin America. Latin America refers to the areas of America in which the Spanish or Portuguese languages prevail. These areas includeRead MoreThe Education and Healthcare Gap1686 Words   |  7 Pageshave raged concerning the relative equality or inequality in America. Over the past one hundred years, we have seen a sizable shift toward equality in the legal rights of minorities. However, this legal equality is undermined by a pervasive and broadening socioeconomic inequality, especially in regards to healthcare and education. These issues disproportionately affect minorities. This paper will first touch on two other types of inequality: civic and income. Then it will move into howRead MoreSocial Class in America1217 Words   |  5 Pages America is seen as the land of opportunity across the world, but many people wonder if it is true. The truth is America does have opportunities and with dedication anything is possible though the opportunities are limited. Usually limited for those who belong to a lower social class. The main reason opportunities are limited are because of America’s social inequality. The social class of America is separated into multiple groups that struggle with each other due to the inequality of power andRead MoreAmerica s Income And Wealth Inequality987 Words   |  4 PagesToday in America, income and wealth inequality has continued to grow at an unsettling pace. The rich continue to get richer, while the number of people categorized as lower class grows exponentially. As Joseph Stiglitz has explained, many theories that are seen as strongly Republican, such as the trickle-down effect, has caused t he rich to take money from the poor, and as a result the lower class grows and the middle class disintegrates. The top 1 percent of America’s households currently holds 30Read MoreAnalysis Of The Article The American Ideal 964 Words   |  4 PagesEconomic inequality has surged into a greater issue over the past several years. Gender inequality is something that has began to reduce in the US ever since the 1900s. Even though big changes have been made, gender inequality stills exists in the workplace due to many reasons. Furthermore, ever since colonial times, racism has been a prodigious problem in the United States . Examples of racial inequality includes poverty and education, as a result, racial inequality has become an obstacle America hasRead MoreSocial Class As A Way That Constrains Someone s Life Chances And Opportunities For Social Mobility1395 Words   |  6 Pages America is a country that has been founded on the myth of equality and opportunity. The â€Å"Hora tio Alger† myth, which states that people who work hard will survive and thrive in America, has passed away to the notion of generational privilege (Alger, 1910). Economic inequality absolutely exists in America today, and the social class into which an individual is born affects their life chances and opportunities for social mobility to a stunning and upsetting degree. In this essay, I will argue that