Poverty in America: A Paradox

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Factors contributing to Poverty in America
Conclusion
References

Introduction

It is a common notion to find people mentioning America as a land of milk and honey. Perhaps the many usually construe that all Americans enjoy the riches that have been gloriously praised. America indeed is one of the richest countries in the world today. America enjoys abundant natural resources, the modern infrastructures as well as high productivity fuelled by the many industries it has. It has been able to establish itself as a superpower through its economic dominance. Its GNP is much greater than many of the developed countries. As Washington and Cunnigen (2002) argue, the 267 million people who live in United States could produce more than all the 4.3 billion people living in more than 150 developing countries in the world. It hasn’t been easy to build America as it is. It has taken many years’ efforts and hard work to achieve this (Marris, P and Rein, M, 1973).

Many people especially the young people living in other countries and more so in developed countries wish to immigrate to America instead of working hard to achieve the dream of better opportunities. Many reasons could be the motivating factor for those seeking to migrate to America. Many youths need to look for better opportunities and with America having a booming economy, many of them, opt to immigrate to America. Some migrate out of necessity, for instance, when calamities arise, eruption of wars and fear of persecution among others. Others migrate to America out of choice due to reasons such as looking for better jobs, business opportunities and schools (Iceland, 2003).

Factors contributing to Poverty in America

Although America is seen as the land of great opportunities, a number of people still live below the poverty line. The question which needs to be asked is how is America in terms of income equality? The fact is that income inequality is a reality in America and it could have contributed to the widening gap between the “have” and the “have not”. Equal opportunity is a very fundamental principle in any nation to ensure that poverty is checked, however, American government has failed in this.

Another factor that has contributed to this is slow mobility. Compared to other industrialized countries, America has sluggish mobility. Wealthy families pass on their riches to their heirs. They are able to access good schools, better health services and good nutrition. Those from poor families are unable to afford this and the government doesn’t step in to help them.

Washington and Cunnigen (2002) argue that a culture of poverty perpetuates poverty from one generation to another. This is true in America where power seems to be inherited in rich families. America being a capitalist nation, the idea of class cannot go unmentioned. The formation of class makes it possible for poverty to thrive in America. American sociologists, Hylan Lewis and Miller argue that the attitudes shown by the poverty culture are the reaction to low income and lack of opportunities. Structuralist theories, maxims attribute poverty to the availability of class divisions in the society. This is the same reason that has actively perpetuated poverty in America (Washington and Cunnigen, 2002).

Conclusion

America is one of the most industrialized countries in the whole world. It has been construed as a land of milk and honey as a result of its booming economy and many developments and advanced technology. However, poverty is a reality in this great nation. Many families live below the poverty level. It is not a wonder that America has been on the frontline sending donations to other countries in the effort to fight poverty whereas in the same country people are living in abject poverty. Factors such as inequality in many areas such as income and education opportunities have largely contributed to this.

References

Iceland, J (2003).Poverty in America: A handbook. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press.

Marris, P and Rein, M (1973). Dilemmas of social reform: poverty and community action: Chicago, Aldine Press.

Washington, R and Cunnigen, D (2002). Confronting the American dilemma of race. The second generation Black American sociologists. Lanham, MD: University Press of America.

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Poverty in America: A Paradox

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