Category: Poverty

Issue: The issue that needs to be covered in this discussion is the issue of the homeless population in the States, particularly in California. Homeless residents of the state are experiencing enormous problems with social adaptation, suffering from mental disorders and substance abuse.

The question at Issue: The question that needs to be addressed within the framework of the problem is what are the most vulnerable aspects of the administrative system that lead to an aggravation of the situation with homelessness and what the state and volunteers can do about it.

• Thesis (version 1): Extremely high real estate prices make it impossible for an entire stratum of the population to secure a roof over their heads  lowering prices at the state level would help overcome the problem.
• Thesis (version 2): The real estate market is an unattainable field for the modern poor class of California, so the state laws require simplifying the procedure for buying or renting a home.
• Thesis (version 3): Financial injection into salaries and salaries at the state level can be seen as a major factor in reducing poverty and homelessness in California, leaving people at the bottom of the social ladder.

Premise #1: As an argument proving the importance of lowering house prices, it should be noted that there is a sharp discrepancy between rent and the wealth of residents. The high housing cost affects the populations poverty, pushing some elements of society to the margins.

Premise #2: The COVID-19 pandemic is exacerbating the plight of the poor in California as processes to enrich the lower classes before the lockdown have been reversed.

Premise #3: The low economic mobility of the population also determines the acute poverty of the lower classes  earning little in their youth; the standard Californian is unlikely to change his economic situation over time.

Anti-Thesis (your oppositions thesis): The opposite statement, in this case, was an indication that the state at the federal and administrative levels adequately regulates the problem of poverty.

Oppositions strongest premise for their position (against your position): CalWORKS is the strongest premise for their position (against your position): CalWORKS is a public support program that provides benefits for working families with children.

Poverty has always been a topical issue for every country worldwide, and it tends to be especially critical during times of crisis. The COVID-19 pandemic is a good example of such periods since it has substantially undermined many industries and deprived the world economy of $28 trillion, which could be generated over the next five years (Coronavirus). The article 8 Million Have Slipped Into Poverty Since May as Federal Aid Has Dried Up by Jason DeParle talks about the problem of poverty as a result of the pandemic. It also presents statistics that show how the introduction of the Cares Act impacted the level of poverty during the economic downturn caused by the virus.

The author explains the problem of poverty from the perspective of the global crisis, and with the help of statistical information, indicates that government support plays an important part in addressing this issue. The article presents the results of two studies that explored the effects of the Cares Act, a $2 trillion relief package, which assisted citizens who lost their jobs (The CARES Act). The research demonstrates how the introduction of this policy helped reduce the number of people living below the poverty line. Yet, its effects were temporary, and, currently, the overall amount of poor in the country has grown by eight million people since May (DeParle). Nevertheless, the methods employed by the authors of the studies eventually lead to slightly different evidence. For example, the statistics of the Columbia University model show that in September there was an improvement, while researchers from Chicago discovered that poverty during that month was steadily rising.

The author presents a sociological perspective on the problem by acknowledging that the considerable rise in poverty is associated with the economic crisis provoked by the pandemic rather than poor peoples shortcomings. The author presents poverty as an issue that is affected by social and economic developments, saying, now the economy is showing new signs of deceleration, amid layoffs, a surge in coronavirus cases& (DeParle). The article also provides another outlook on the problem, the one which postulates that government assistance discourages people from working and that poverty is not as important as unemployment. Thus, the author incorporates different perspectives on the issue, which makes the article less biased and improves its credibility.

One of the primary factors that have to be considered when dealing with the problem of poverty is the level of education and occupations of those who live below the poverty line. People who did not go to colleges and universities tend to have jobs that pay much less than those which require a degree; thus, they risk earning wages that are below the poverty threshold. Another important factor is gender since, according to statistics, women in the U.S. are more likely than men to experience poverty (Bleiweis). This also highlights the gender income inequality which exists in society and substantially contributes to the problem of poverty among women.

The article discussed in this paper talks about how the COVID-19 pandemic affected the level of poverty in the U.S. and provides information on the impact of the Cares Act. The article features statistics that suggest that government assistance played a significant role in temporarily reducing the number of poor, yet, studies still have certain conflicting evidence on the issue of poverty. The author presents poverty as a social and economic problem that occurs as a result of major external factors such as a pandemic. When studying the issue of poverty, sociologists also have to consider aspects such as education, occupation, and gender since they can substantially influence a persons life and level of income.

Works Cited

Bleiweis, Robin. The Basic Facts About Women in Poverty. Center For American Progress, 2020. Web.

DeParle, Jason. 8 Million Have Slipped Into Poverty Since May as Federal Aid Has Dried Up. The New York Times, 2020. Web.

Coronavirus: The Economic Impact  21 October 2020. The UN Industrial Development Organization, 2020. Web.

The CARES Act Works for All Americans. The Department of the Treasury. Web.

Social Concerns

The story about Michael Ohers rise from rags to riches written by Michael Oher himself with Don Yaeger is based on a true story that inspires people across all ages and racial boundaries. It shows how a white couple Leigh Anne and Sean Tuohy took in Michael Oher -a homeless black boy and made him the person he is today,-a top flight league football star. There are so many poor people in the society today, who have various talents but are unable to realize them because of poverty.

Author and Common Theme that ties them together

The theme that comes out strongly in the book is poverty. Because of poverty, everything went berserk for Oher. No one ever cared about his academics at school let alone his physical and emotional well being. Having to live with a drug addicted mother in a poverty-ridden home, Michael received very little education and his kills were not nurtured properly (Michael & Yaegar 35). He grew up in Memphis knowing about poverty only, he had to feed himself and find where to sleep at night. In most of his life, he managed to live with close acquaintances and family who took him in temporarily.

His grades were wanting and this forced him to repeat grades each time (Michael & Yaegar 18). When Michael was only 15 years, he had grown a lot but he was seriously lacking in important skills such as reading. He was big about 65 tall and his weight was enormous, more than 300 pounds. His dream of joining a good school was released suddenly when his acquaintances parents wanted to take their son to a first-class school. Michael followed along and the friends father, after feeling sorry for him admitted him in a private school alongside his son.

The Tuohy family had a daughter who attended the same school with Michael. On one cold day, Tuohys daughter saw witnessed Michael going to a gym with unpleasant clothes. She really felt sorry for him and decided to tell her family about it. The Tuohys family felt compassion for Michael and they started to support him at all costs (Michael & Yaegar 132). They believed that he was performing poorly academically because he was homeless and poor. He wasnt like the rest in academics, his teachers thought that he could not grasp anything in class, except for his science teacher Mrs. Boswell who knew that he learnt in a different way (Michael & Yaegar 131).

The Tuohy family bought lunch for him because the school did not offer free lunch. They treated him like their own son by buying him clothes and even offering him a place to sleep. Like true parents, they encouraged him too and after offered almost everything to him. They finally adopted him. Michael had become more than just a friend to them and they really loved him. From the book we see Sean Tuohy saying that they were accepting him as one of their own (Michael & Yaegar 132).

The adoption brought dramatic changes in his life. Michael strived to improve academically. Michael also discovered that he could play football quite well and so he joined football without hesitation. He stood out in football, his big size, athleticism and speed endeared him among football lovers (Michael & Yaegar, 146). Michael beat all odds in his senior high school to become the best prospect on the offensive line according to an ESPN analyst (Kate & White 1). There are statements to show that Leigh Annie Tuohy encouraged him to excel in sports and also wanted him to be well behaved and be a good man when he grows up.

Leigh Annie Tuohy, his adopted mother promised to accompany Michael in all his sporting competitions to give him maximum support (Michael & Yaegar 148). Leigh Annie Tuohy also was there to give Michael such a motherly advice that only a parent can give. She advised Michael not to engage in premarital sexual affairs because she knew that having a kid before marriage would derail the journey towards a future life for Michael that was already looking bright (Michael & Yaegar 151).

Michael had to put more effort into his games and academic work. He became a hot cake even before he was through with his high school education. Many Universities and colleges approached him with scholarship offers. He chose to go to study at the University of Mississippi. Michael made further strides in life while at University; he excelled both academically and in sports. In fact before he was through with his education, he had already secured a slot in the All American first team (Michael & Yaegar 157).

In summary, the story shows how a poverty-ridden, but talented African-American boy gets help from a well-to-do white family and together they assist him at all costs to realize such heights in life that would otherwise be practically impossible for him to attain alone.

Works Cited

Kate, Mc Carthy & M, White. Real-life Story Behind The Blind Side. New York. Good Morning America. 2009. Print.

Michael, Oher and D, Yaegar. I Beat the Odds: From Homelessness, to the Blindside, and Beyond. USA. Penguin Group Publication. 2012. Print.

Introduction

Some people often consider and evaluate themselves to determine their social group in society. In sociology, there are three major categories of social class: the elite, the middle class, and the poor. It is typical of a human to have thoughts of advancing from one group to the next. There are vast variations in material possession, authority, and wealth in most cultures, contributing significantly to the stratification in a population. Social classes, therefore, exist because of the variations in socioeconomic capacities in the world; however, an ideal society can eliminate them.

Key Components

In sociology, the understanding of social classes is based on the perception of stratification and mobility. Social segregation represents a system of thoughts merged in social sciences and political theory based on societal categorization (Kincaid, 2015). The stratification describes the classification of people into groups based on social, economic, and political factors (Shavitt et al., 2016). Social stratification is, hence, the relative position of individuals within a given hierarchical societal category. Moreover, social mobility refers to the transition of persons either as a group or individuals to a different stratum.

Social classes definitions are broad and span over various disciplines, such as sociology, psychology, and anthropology. However, most of these definitions borrow extensively borrow from the theories of Karl Max and Max Weber (Shavitt et al., 2016). Nonetheless, the various descriptions revolve around the position in society. They include the group that an individual belongs to under economic or sociopolitical capacities. As per Karl Marxs theory, a class comprises objective and subjective factors (Shavitt et al., 2016). Amidst the variations in the definition, classification, and description of societal classes, dominant categories include the upper, the middle, and the low classes (Shavitt et al., 2016). However, some sociologists like Gilbert and Kahl expand them into five detailed categories: the elites, the upper-middle, the lower middle, the working class, and the poor (Mizruchi, 2017). In every society, social stratification is based on the five groups.

Maintaining stratification systems in the imaginary world might be difficult since the social order does not allow stratification. However, the groupings play a significant role in the growth and stability of individuals. The classes can be maintained in the imaginary community by enabling individuals to experience social mobility out of their effort within the means of production. Society will destroy inherited privileges and prestige; thus, every individual will explore and exploit their potential, and poverty levels will be minimized. People might require some elements of the classes since they have different capacities to exploit reasonably available resources. Social clusters would arise again, but with a narrow gap between them.

Theory: The Models of Wright and Kahl in the Ideal Society

According to Joseph Kahl and Dennis Gilbert, social classes are composed of six classes based on Karl Maxs model. The classes include the elites, the upper-middle, the lower middle, the poor working class, and the underclass. Social classes influence various aspects of peoples lives, such as their mental health, family life, religion, politics, and education. Hence, members of the lower classes are disadvantaged, and some die before reaching the minimum life expectancy age. In the ideal society, the current social classes are no longer applicable since everyone has equal chances in life, and the economic and power gaps do not exist. Gilbert and Kahl note that social institutions can be transformed following guiding principles (Pérez, 2018). These ideologies include identifying and specifying necessary morals, using them as the evaluation standards, developing alternative values, and proposing theoretical frameworks to realize the new society.

According to Mizruchi (2017), Wright Mills theory explains that few individuals within the military, corporate and political realms hold relatively higher power in most societies, including the United States. These influential people make decisions that affect the lives of other persons who have little influence. The less powerful individuals are typically the majority and work for the authoritative ones. The social classes analysis in this category can be demonstrated by the triangle model where the political, military, and corporate leaders are at the top, followed by the interest group and local political leaders, then the common masses are at the bottom. Mizruchi (2017) demonstrates that the most potent personalities control almost every section of the economy, from the highest-ranking government and judiciary officials, universities to mass media. This necessitates an ideal setting without the social groups hence, everyone will be equally accommodated in the community.

The imagined society will liberate people from the numerous challenges resulting from social classes. The Models of Wright equally propose that the current social structures and institutions obstruct equality values (Pérez, 2018). Consequently, Mill concludes that the members at the top of the social class chain fluidly transit positions in three controlling realms: corporate, military, and government. In an ideal society, a system with higher standards of equality can exist. Hence, such a society would be devoid of the different societal constructions applicable in most communities. The gap between the groups has broadened continually, leading to unceasing conflicts. In this imaginary realm, the individuals in it would have access to highly desirable qualities applicable to every member.

The People

The ideal society requires groups, although it proposes equal access to resources. It will create new classes based on the capabilities of individuals and people will be able to advance their social classes. The improvement can be achieved through using their skills to better utilize the available assets to experience social mobility (Bouchard, 2017). In addition, vertical advancement can be achieved by learning the expertise defining different classes. The prejudices related to this class include the idea that everyone is likely to be satisfied. People have different desires and perceptions, and not everyone may appreciate the ideal community. Moreover, educated members might start discriminating against those with low skills. In the ideal setting, individuals easily transit from one class to another and connect better with everyone.

The members within this setting will easily relate to each other since they perceive themselves as equals. The minority group will not exist since everyone will be dependent on their abilities and support from others. There will be lower levels of insufficiency in the ideal society and diminished social stratification levels caused by poverty (Bouchard, 2017). The welfare system of fairness provides a minimum basic income for people with limited self-sustenance capacity. The decreased poverty levels will foster better behavior and interaction between social classes.

Conclusion

Social stratification caused by social classes negatively impacts the current society prompting the need for an ideal society. The ideal society is likely to solve the challenges present such as high levels of poverty. Moreover, the conflicts that arise from the current groupings require a desperate transition into an ideal society. In the ideal society, the imagined traits will be based on capability rather than financial status. Nonetheless, the ideal setting is coupled with complex uncertainties, although it might considerably reduce poverty.

References

Bouchard, G. (2017). Social myths and collective imaginaries. University of Toronto Press.

Kincaid, H. (2015). Debating the reality of social classes. Philosophy of the Social Sciences, 46(2), 189-209.

Mizruchi, M. S. (2017). The Power Elite in historical context: A reevaluation of Mills thesis, then and now. Theory and Society, 46(2), 95-116.

Pérez Ahumada, P. (2018). Social classes, economic sectors and changes in the Chilean social structure, 1992 and 2013. [PDF document].

Shavitt, S., Jiang, D., & Cho, H. (2016). Stratification and segmentation: Social class in consumer behaviour. Journal of Consumer Psychology, 26(4), 583-593. Web.

Theodore Dalrymple is a critic and psychiatrist who has written articles on various controversial topics. In one of his many essays, What Is Poverty, which was published in 1999, he argues about the definition of poor. The author states that the perception of poverty has changed in recent years; however, it transformed not on a global scale, but only in welfare countries. The purpose of this paper is to present his point of view and analyze it by applying philosophical concepts.

The author demonstrates his understanding of poverty by saying that nowadays, it does not mean that someone lacks enough money to eat or pay for healthcare. According to Dalrymple, being poor is just having less than rich (p. 1). He explains it by noting that these changes occurred due to industrialization; thus, those who earn less can be considered poor even if they can afford to satisfy their basic needs. However, the author also argues that since the welfare system has advanced in recent years, people started to take it for granted and sometimes even exploit it (Dalrymple, p. 2).

He argues by bringing up his personal experiences as an example. Dalrymple compares how people in first-world and third-world countries behave towards doctors by sharing some stories. He talks about how doctors from India and Philthe ippines were astonished to see the ungratefulness of English people who received treatment. Although doctors and nurses provided intensive care, some patients were rude to them and behaved like they were kidnapped. At first, foreign doctors considered such situations to be unusual, but later they were surprised to find out that such an attitude was the norm.

To create a contrast, the author then tells about his experience when he worked in Africa as a doctor. Unlike in England, people in Africa were grateful to receive treatment and made every effort to receive it. In these countries, there is a big disparity between the rich and the poor, but Dalrymple states that he never saw the loss of dignity, the self-centeredness, the spiritual and emotional vacuity (p. 9). He considers welfare to be the core of the problem because the definition of poverty has changed in rich countries.

Such a statement is disputable and may raise a number of heated discussions. However, it would be difficult to agree with the author. Poverty is unjust in any form, and the fact that the definition of poverty changed is good because it means that the standards have also gone up. Moreover, even though people in Africa appreciate healthcare and any help in general, the fact that there is a disparity between ordinary citizens and government workers is unfair. According to Kantian views, such inequality threatens freedom because it creates a dependency of one individual on another (Hasan, p. 16). Moreover, the philosopher suggests a solution to redistribute the resources up to the point that the poor have some means of their own (Hasan, p. 16). In European countries, people can afford not to rely on those who have a higher income, for example, employers and government workers. Therefore, the argument of the author can be considered prejudiced, and some philosophers, including Kant, would disagree with it. Equality is essential in society, and for this reason, every person should have easy access to welfare, regardless of their attitude to it.

References

1. Dalrymple, Theodore. What is Poverty? City Journal, 1999. Web.
2. Hasan, Rafeeq. Freedom and poverty in the Kantian state. European Journal of Philosophy, vol. 26, no. 3, 2018, pp. 911-931.

Introduction

Poverty presents many obstacles and impediments in the life of young people lives; these can be analyzed and understood through a series of social work concepts and theories. The paper shall specifically dwell on the social exclusion, class, and labeling theories to place youth poverty in its social context. Additionally, the paper shall look at developmental issues associated with poverty and the challenges associated with such a group.

This work will be important in social work practice because it will attempt to demystify the experiences, opportunities, and life chances surrounding youth poverty. This means that it will offer policy solutions to the problems and practical day-to-day applications as well.

Definition of terms

The labeling theory is instrumental in understanding the implications of poverty among the youth. Becker (1997) explains that all individuals are influenced by the interactions that they have with other members of society and these interactions eventually contribute towards their self-identity. Every society has rules that govern its members behavior; consequently, those who fail to comply with such rules may end up being labeled as deviants. When categorized as such, human beings tend to redefine their self-image around those labels mostly because they are treated differently by other members of society.

The latter theory is particularly useful in offering practical solutions to the problem of poverty among the youth. If poor youth are given negative titles such as criminal or troublemaker then chances are that they may live up to those prophecies. Instead, they should be empowered, supported, and assisted. One of the solutions offered by labeling theory adherents is the promotion of tolerance rather than the judgment of persons who deviate from the norm.

The exclusion theory is sometimes called the social closure theory. It puts forward the notion that all groups create their identities by outlining those who do not fall in their category; in other words, the process depends on the identification of outsiders in the same depth as identification of their characteristics. Proponents of this theory claim that social exclusion is deemed necessary for different groups because it heightens the benefits that those respective groups can get in life.

This theory will be particularly instrumental in understanding the root causes of poverty or in placing the latter phenomenon within a social context. This is mostly because it attempts to address issues surrounding social relations, equality, and community development. (Sheppard, 2006)

According to Karl Marx (the pioneer of the class theory) societies are made up of classes that are constantly in states of struggle. (Le Grand, 2003) He argued that in capitalist societies, these groups often clash over the right to control means of production. In other words, the elite possesses the unequal right and access to power and material resources. Since these entitlements are scarce, then the underprivileged will often become conscious of their status and may spearhead a rebellion against the status quo. It should be noted that for a class struggle to occur, persons with similar interests and similar social positions must consciously unite in opposition against another class. Therefore, these common interests are the driving forces that may change societys working order. Additionally, Karl Marx adds that capitalists often look out for their interests in the pursuit of more power and more resources. This leads to an economic crisis that is characterized by several problems. (Price and Simpson, 2007)

When one relates the latter theory to the question of poverty among the youth, it can be said that poor youth are victims of unequal distribution of resources. Consequently, the latter theory can assist in understanding the experiences of poverty among young people and some of the problems that they could be facing can be addressed through handling some of these inequalities. (Le Grand, 2003)

How poverty impacts the life chances, experiences, and opportunities for young people

Poverty minimizes young peoples life chances because it makes them vulnerable to risk. First, most of them live on a high-calorie  nutritionally poor diet. Those young persons who happen to have children are likely to sacrifice their meals to provide for their dependents. In the end, such youth may begin experiencing medical complications that may end their lives prematurely. (Bondanella, 2004)

Statistics indicate that poor people generally and the youth, in particular, are prone to more residential accidents than their counterparts in wealthier homes. For instance, such youth are more likely to be involved in automobile-related accidents or more likely to be burnt by fire than other youth. Such incidences often cause death. In other words, the youth poor have very slim chances of living beyond their thirties as a result of their vulnerability to these dangerous circumstances.

In line with the latter explanation is a report made by the Department of Work and Pension in the year 2004. The latter study revealed that teen pregnancies were more eminent among lower classes than among the higher class. Teenage mothers are less likely to raise their children properly as they are unprepared for the challenges of motherhood. Eventually, these individuals become overwhelmed as they get older i.e. as they leave their teens and enter adulthood. Most of them may abandon their dreams and aspirations to raise their children and thus be forced to live unfulfilled lives.

Poor youth are more likely to live in homeless conditions or poor housing conditions; as a result, they are prevented from developing physically, mentally as well as socially. Overcrowded houses contain mold that leads to respiratory infections like allergies, permanent coughs, and asthma. Also, cramped houses hamper hygiene that may cause inhabitants unnecessary risks like burns, fevers, headaches, and others. Youth who live in these conditions are also likely to be stressed; furthermore, the latter condition may accelerate into anxiety and depression. In other words, such youth are less likely to become more productive members of society because of the physical and mental conditions that their environments cause.

Young people with families are also likely to be confronted with problems of debt repayment. As of 2006, statistics revealed that in all homes where people earn less than nine thousand dollars, thirty-three percent of those individuals are in debt. When a breadwinner is a young person, then chances of owning assets are quite slim and this makes them more vulnerable to debt. It is a known fact that persons with debts are less likely to engage in business, employment, or other productive activities. In the end, they may not get meet certain expectations.

Education is another hurdle that poor youth find difficult to attain  this minimizes their opportunities in subsequent life. When young people are poor, they are less likely to participate in higher education. Those who do get an opportunity have lower chances of exhaling compared to their wealthier counterparts. In the end, it becomes very problematic for them to get good jobs or to enrich their lives. (Aassve, Iacovou and Mencarini, 2006)

Crime is an increasing problem in slums, low-income houses as well as streets where the homeless stay. Youth are more likely to engage in criminal activities if they cannot access opportunities for personal development as is the case for those living in poverty.

Poverty makes young people less involved in community-based activities. Such individuals are often isolated from the experiences that would make their lives better. For instance, they do no have some facilities and infrastructure in their residential areas. Additionally, there are minimal services to allow participation in labor markets. Also, the cost of transport hampers their ability to become self-reliant. Leisure is another problem that poor youth lack and this often drives them to participate in self-destructive behavior such as drug/ alcohol abuse, crime as well as other forms of antisocial activities. In the end, these young people may suffer mental illnesses that make them economically/ socially unproductive or it may lead to death. (Bondanella, 2004)

Poor youth are often confronted with social stigma when required to mix with other youth in social settings such as colleges or churches. In this regard, they tend to keep to themselves and hardly get opportunities to interact or exchange ideas with persons from different walks of life. In the end, their opportunities become very limited and they end up being trapped in their circumstances. Social stigma also arises from the view that poor, young people are high-risk groups. For instance, it is assumed that young men have a propensity for violence or crime. On the other hand, society also shuns young poor women because it assumes that they are HIV positive or that are victims of early childbirth. These qualities make them unattractive for paid work thus leading to high levels of unemployment amongst them. It has been shown that lack of employment opportunities among poor youth could be one of the leading causes of poverty propagation.

Implications for social work practice

Social work practice must address the vulnerabilities and hurdles faced by the youth poor; these must be done on a micro as well as on a macro level. Actions need to be guided by the latter mentioned three theories because they provide a deeper understanding of the problems of poverty. However, social workers must remember that there is no single solution to poverty and its implications among the youth. (March and Keating, 2006)

The class theory puts forward the notion that poverty is perpetuated by unequal distribution of resources, consequently, these masses experience low employment opportunities, poor education, poor mental and physical health, low or no housing as well as inaccessible childcare. Some of these problems are difficult to address from a micro perspective and would best be handled through macro-level interventions by social workers. In other words, such solutions would refer to nationwide social policies designed to curb or minimize inequality.

Social work intervention can be done on a micro-level where the social worker deals with problems from an individualist perspective. For instance, if a poor young the person is unable to come up with his rent, then a social worker can assist by identifying subsidized housing and working with the client to deal with such payments. On the other hand, if an individual comes from a low-income household, is young and pregnant, then a social worker needs to enroll the individual into a prenatal care program as well as assist her to get a part-time job.

As it has been stated earlier, poverty causes stigmatization that often leads to depression. The social exclusion theory puts forward the notion that social exclusion hampers participation in developmental activities. Social workers can deal with feelings of exclusion by empowering young people. Those who have been extensively excluded may be undergoing depression and therefore need treatment for it. On the other hand, those who have not been severely affected still need empowerment through engagements in training programs or being granted access to part-time or full-time jobs. In the labeling theory, it is asserted that people tend to live up to their prophecies when given certain labels. Consequently, social workers should look for ways of undoing those labels placed on poor youth by training them or granting them access to jobs. This will make them believe that they are capable of much more than they had imagined for themselves.

From the macro perspective, social workers must acknowledge the power of the community. (Barkham, 2006) Here, community assets in poor neighborhoods could be collected and then combined with national resources that would then be used to boost education, business as well as health in such communities. The youth could be selected as members of these community initiatives to boost the strengths of the poor communities while deemphasizing their weaknesses. Such a strategy in social work practice is guided by the social exclusion theory. Here, it is stated that those who are considered as rightful members of society are more productive than those excluded from it. Consequently, social workers need to promote inclusion by making local systems more powerful.

Special work practice should also entail avocation of the rights of poor youth in parliamentary or political systems. This can be achieved by making working conditions more feasible for young breadwinners. For instance, social workers can advocate for increments in the minimum wage, family support systems as well as educational and training opportunities. Such interventions are guided by the Marxist school of thought or the class theory where it is assumed that poverty is increased by lack of equal opportunities. Increasing the minimum wage and making working conditions for poor youth more feasible are all attempts to increase equitability in resource and wealth distribution.

Conclusion

Poverty causes several problems to poor youth. First, it subjects them to heightened risks that lead to health complications and even early death. Additionally, educational attainment is another serious problem that minimizes their employment opportunities. Poverty hampers accessibility to infrastructure and leisure and thus leads youth to antisocial behavior such as drugs or alcohol. Aside from that, youth suffer from a lack of jobs, lack of access to health facilities, stigmatization, debt, and hence depression.

These impacts have many implications for social work practice. Social workers need to address the root causes of the phenomenon of poverty among the youth through better work/ educational/ health policies that ensure the distribution of wealth as guided by the class theory. Also, social work practice needs to get to the micro level by empowering youth through training programs, involving them in community-based initiatives, providing them with counseling and planning for subsidized housing.

Bibliography

Aassve, A., Iacovou, M. and Mencarini, L. (2006). Youth poverty and transition to adulthood in Europe. Max Plank Institute for Demographic Research, 15 (2), 21- 50.

Barkham, P. (2006). Anti poverty campaign mobilised youth. The Guardian. P1.

Becker, H. (1997). Outsiders. New York: Free Press.

Bondanella, A. (2004). Putting a face on poverty. American Catholic organisation. Web.

LeGrand, J. (2003). Agency, Motivation and Public Policy. Oxford: OUP.

March, I. and Keating, M. (Editors) (2006). Sociology making sense of society. Harrow: Prentice Hall.

Price, V. and Simpson, G. (2007). Transforming society? Social work and sociology. Bristol: Polity Press.

Sheppard, M. (2006). Social work and social exclusion  the idea of practice. Hampshire: Ashgate.

Introduction

In economics, poverty, wealth, and societys economic stratification are interrelated concepts linked to racial, gender, and regional inequalities. Disparities in income and wealth distribution contribute to societal stratification and the emergence of social classes. In a capitalist economy such as the United States, the conflict arising from competition for scarce resources creates and maintains an unequal social order. In this context, the wealthy and powerful elite work in economic self-interest to maximize their welfare through unfair laws and societal structures. By examining wealth, poverty, and economic classes from the perspective of social justice, the socioeconomic inequalities persistent in society will become clear.

Wealth

Conceptual Meaning

Income and wealth are often used interchangeably, but these terms are conceptually different. Rakopoulos and Rio make a basic distinction between the two concepts: income is the resource flow over a specific duration, while wealth refers to accumulated assets at a particular time (276). This conceptual difference is linked to historical and cultural ideas of material possessions and power. The industrial revolution that marked capitalist history saw land and other factors of production, including labor, become interchangeable commodities (Gregory 314). As a result, their exchange value and distribution were integrated into capital processes. Therefore, capitalism transformed the traditional fixed form of wealth into a transferrable commodity, putting it into economic circulation.

Capitalism and Wealth

Capital is viewed as a process through which wealth circulates. Its value is transient: it starts as money, converts to a commodity, and reverts to its monetary form (Muehlebach 244). While wealth awaits to enter circulation, it is a fixed capital that has some value. Therefore, although it seems static, it earns profits and boosts the national economy. Based on Marxist thinking, wealth has an anticipated higher value, making it an item of struggle (Allen 89). Cross-cultural differences exist in the expectation of the future good. In India, wealth is largely linked to children, while in European cultures, individuals and companies consider it a prospective value increment (Gregory 314). It enables people to convert wealth into inalienable items such as farmland, kinship, and fame to which they have exclusive rights now and in the future.

Accounting for inequalities, the present and future value of wealth are unequally distributed. According to Rakopoulos and Rio, the return on capital far outstrips its output under a capitalistic system (281). Unfairly amassed wealth, including land, contribute to inequalities and poverty since the value of circulating commodities or capital is inalienable. Although capitalist economies stress dynamic capital, its flow in the market leads to more accumulation by the wealthy and powerful. Hoarding capital through corruption or exploiting legal loopholes in anticipation of future value increment is unproductive and does not benefit the economy. Thus, privately accumulated wealth and related income is a foremost contributor to inequality  a large gap between the poorest and the wealthiest  in contemporary society.

Unequal Wealth Distribution

Wealth is not static; its value is relational, affecting its demand in the larger society. Capitalist states see reserve bank deposits as the guarantee of future value, while dynasties regard their farmland and assets as capital (Rakopoulos and Rio 284). In modern times, the sources of wealth include products of local skills and craftsmanship, including cultural artifacts and paintings, considered a valuable heritage for communities. These items can be viewed as fixed capital with a future market value. However, the flow of these forms of wealth is unequal, with the rich and powerful having an inalienable right to them. Elitist brands, including Ferrari, though built by ordinary engineers and technicians, are sources of wealth for big corporates and families that invest in them (Rakopoulos and Rio 289). Although the common artisans may have financial claims, the capital distribution reflects the relational power in a society.

Wealth creation depends on harnessing ordinary peoples inalienable skills and talents, but its distribution is not equal. For example, one percent of American households control fifteen times more wealth than the bottom 50% of the people combined (Wodtke 1379). Therefore, in contemporary times, wealth is intertwined with the power to control social production processes. The management of its reproduction relies not on its hoarding but on removing it from social control (Gregory 314). Exclusive groups, corporations, and countries enhance the commercial value of capital beyond the poors reach. These entities continue to amass riches using historical advantages, widening the inequality gap and creating socioeconomic stratification.

Poverty

A Multidimensional Phenomenon

Poverty has many faces, and multiple indicators are used to capture the different deprivations experienced by a population. This complex phenomenon is linked to economic wellbeing, capability, and social exclusion (Wagle 184). Poverty is a major moral problem because of the suffering it causes and the disadvantages conferred to some population segments. It is defined as a persistent and debilitating social condition attributed to diverse causes that affect a persons physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing (Gweshengwe et al. 3). The complex nature of poverty means that multiple measures are used depending on a countrys priorities.

Economic Wellbeing

Income and consumption are key quantifiable indicators of poverty in society. These variables measure economic wellbeing and contain absolute, relative, and subjective components. At the basic level is absolute poverty, which describes the lack of necessities needed for survival  shelter, clean water, and food (Wagle 184). Here, the quality of survival is an important consideration that is not quantifiable. A person may require social, cultural, economic, or political resources to survive, but these aspects cannot be measured in monetary terms. Based on the survival criteria, poverty is described as the income level necessary to obtain the least calorie intake or personal wellbeing (Gweshengwe et al. 6). Therefore, earnings or wages are connected to consumption and welfare needs, which are not quantifiable.

Determining the minimum income level that would suffice individual wellbeing is not easy. The International Monetary Fund and other agencies use a dollar-a-day expenditure as the absolute poverty line (Wagle 186). However, other organizations consider basic needs and essential services, including health, in defining poverty. In contrast, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) distinguishes two other forms of absolute deprivation: extreme poverty (scarcity of the income needed to purchase basic food) and overall poverty that extends to non-food items (11). Given that individual incomes, consumption, and wellbeing depend on other people in society, poverty lines are variable. The lower groups median income is used as a measure of the living standards compared to the high-income groups. This approach estimates relative poverty, where people are described as poor if their incomes are below the median level in society (Wagle 186). The economic well-being view means that poverty can be alleviated by raising median incomes and consumptive capacities of the underprivileged.

Capability Poverty

Separating the poor from the non-poor requires considering additional factors besides income, consumption, and wellbeing. The capability approach to poverty considers factors limiting ones ability to attain a welfare status (Gweshengwe et al. 9). Variables such as health and education impact the quality of life and incomes. Capability is considered the capacity to attain full functioning, but this ability is not entirely dependent on income. The UNDP uses five metrics to measure this type of poverty: illiteracy, malnutrition, life expectancy, poor maternal health, and preventable disease morbidity (13). The income-capability relationship depends on age, sex, social roles, place, and wellness. A person with a low income may exhibit lower-level functioning and capability within an industrial society.

Beyond material deprivation, the freedom to exercise choice may be limited for the poor. A high-level capability is associated with greater access to resources and alternatives (Gweshengwe et al. 8). Therefore, distributive justice is required to ensure equal rights in society, such as employment, nutrition, and social inclusion. Poor nutritional status impacts health, limiting ones ability to derive income. Additionally, morbidity and low life expectancy disproportionately affect the poor due to the deprivation of capabilities. While this approach includes dimensions beyond income-related factors, it does not consider institutional or social barriers to human wellbeing.

Social Exclusion

Another aspect of poverty is social exclusion  marginalization from economic or political processes. High-income individuals or those with considerable capabilities may still be poor if systems are designed to exclude people based on personal characteristics. Structural factors, including macroeconomic policies, may impose barriers to some groups, limiting their participation in socio-economic development. In most countries, social exclusion is based on race, gender, or regional marginalization, limiting peoples access to economic activities (UNDP 19). Socially excluded persons or groups cannot exercise their fundamental rights and freedoms, including political participation. Excluding people with a specific demographic profile from democratic processes leads to policies that do not reflect their interests and priorities, limiting their upward mobility. As a result, these individuals or groups become economically disadvantaged or poor.

Systems of Economic Class

Description

A fundamental consensus among sociologists is that society can be hierarchically ordered based on income or other characteristics. A social class is a group of individuals with comparable economic, occupational, or political statuses (Jacobs and Mariana 31). This stratification system reflects an accepted form of control with sociocultural aspects unique to a given society. In the United States, a three-tier model that comprises the upper, middle, and working classes are used (Pansini et al. 6). This stratification reflects the economic inequality in advanced capitalist economies and is dependent on the amount of wealth held. Large accumulated capital limits the need to participate in wage labor (working class). Wealthy individuals are the elites that dictate political and economic discourses in a country. Issues of race and national origin also determine ones position in the social class system.

Economic Classes in the United States

As already stated, American society is organized into three economic classes. Expanding this three-tier system results in six strata that differ based on annual household incomes. The first category has three sub-classes, including the upper class that constitutes about 3% of the population (Wodtke 1379). The next group is the upper-upper class that comprises individuals with incomes ranging between hundreds of millions and billions annually. The top 1% of the American population falls into this economic stratum (Wodtke 1379). The third sub-class is the lower-upper class that earns millions of dollars yearly. It constitutes 2% of the people in the United States (Wodtke 1380). The elites and wealthy political families belong to this group.

The middle class is the largest economic stratum in the United States. It comprises about 40% of the population, including the upper-middle sub-group (14%) that earn over $76,000 annually and the lower-middle sub-class (30%) whose earnings range between $19,000 and $18,000 yearly (Wodtke 1381). Lastly, the lower class is predominantly the waged labor that must work to survive. It comprises the working poor (13%) and the underclass (14%) that earn $9,000-18,000 and below $9,000 annually, respectively (Wodtke 1382). This economic class system focuses solely on income, and therefore, ignores non-economic variables that influence inequality.

Another model entails different descriptions for each economic class besides income. The upper class includes people with amassed wealth and influence on politics and economic policy. This privilege is often bequeathed from their kin, but upward mobility by some corporate elite is possible. The upper-middle-class includes educated or talented professionals with high-paying careers (Jacobs and Mazzucato 44). The innovations and intellect of top attorneys and engineers are the sources of their wealth. In contrast, the middle class is the biggest group that consists of mid-level managers and low-rank professions such as teaching. On the other hand, the working class includes the uneducated persons in menial jobs, for example, housekeeping. The latter group often lives below the poverty line and has limited opportunities for upward mobility.

Conclusion

The analysis shows that income inequality manifests as poverty, disparities in wealth distribution, and economic classes in a society. In a capitalist system, accumulated capital, though exchangeable, is concentrated in a few individuals. Similarly, household incomes below the median level and social exclusion through policy or laws deprive people of the capabilities required for upward mobility. As a result, society becomes unequal, and three basic economic groups are recognized: the upper, middle, and lower (working) classes.

Works Cited

Allen, Robert C. Class Structure and Inequality during the Industrial Revolution: Lessons From Englands Social Tables, 16881867. The Economic History Review, vol. 72, no. 1, pp. 88-125.

Gregory, Chris. An Economic Theology of Wealth: A Perspective from Central India. History and Anthropology vol. 29, no. 3, 2018, pp. 307-323.

Gweshengwe, Blessing, et al. Defining the Characteristics of Poverty and Their Implications for Poverty Analysis. Congent Social Science, vol. 6, no. 1, 2020, 1-10.

Jacobs, Michael, and Mariana Mazzucato, editors. Rethinking Capitalism: Economics and Policy for Sustainable and Inclusive Growth. John Wiley & Sons, 2016.

Muehlebach, Andrea. Commonwealth: On Democracy and Dispossession in Italy. History and Anthropology, vol. 29, no. 3, 2018, pp. 342-358.

Pansini, Riccardo, et al. Segregating Socioeconomic Classes Leads To an Unequal Redistribution of Wealth. Palgrave Communications, vol. 6, no. 46, 2020, pp. 1-13.

Rakopoulos, Theodoros, and Knut Rio. Introduction to an Anthropology of Wealth. History and Anthropology, vol. 29, no. 3, 2018, pp. 275-291.

United Nations Development Program. Global Multidimensional Poverty Index 2019: Illuminating Inequalities. Web.

Wagle, Udaya. Rethinking Poverty: Definition and Measurement. International Social Science Journal, vol. 68, no. 227, 2018, pp. 183-193.

Wodtke, Geoffrey T. Social Class and Income Inequality in the United States: Ownership, Authority, and Personal Income Distribution from 1980 to 2010. American Journal of Sociology, vol. 121, no. 5, 2016, pp. 1375-1415.

Introduction

The problem of poverty, not only among children but also among adults, has plagued this planet for a long time. It prevents people from living life to the fullest, consequently affecting society. When it comes to children, they are the ones who suffer the most from peer attacks, lack of education, which leads to problems in adulthood, or the banal lack of necessities for survival. Especially talking about minority groups, which is already a problem because of rights disadvantage which exists nowadays (Todaro & Smith, 2006). This is what this presentation will focus on, the things people need to consider to minimize these problems in the future.

Key Metrics

According to statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau, Census 2000 Supplementary Survey, 2001 Supplementary Survey, 2002 through 2019 American Community Survey, a decrease in the number of children who are in poverty can be observed. As of 2019, their number does not exceed 17% of the total number of children belonging to different ethnic groups. Most of those who are outside the poverty line are of Hispanic or Latino race, with more than three million children. Compared to 2010, the overall trend of poor children has decreased by 5%. This is already a great achievement, apart from the fact that the current number of 17% is still very high. More than twelve million children two years ago were considered poor and unable to make the most of their opportunities.

Ways the Poverty Harms Children and Minorities

Poverty Harms the Internal Organs

Lack of nutrition and good conditions worsens a childs quality of life and makes it more susceptible to all kinds of illnesses. It is very common to see how children from poor families look inferior to their peers. The same is true of ethnic minorities. The consequences of this problem are irreversible. Due to the poor condition, the brain starts to develop much worse, which has an impact on general problems with other organs, as well as life changes in general. Reduced brain activity is known to lead to mental retardation and earlier deaths.

Poverty Leads to Poor Physical and Mental Health

As living conditions may be far from normal, the lack of opportunities to exercise and to think about their diet also affects the development of children and minorities. This is largely a consequence of the point discussed above. Reduced activity affects the contraction of nerve fibers and leads to muscle atrophy. The lack of exercise will make a child, or a member of a minority ethnic group look much worse than those around them and, therefore, it will affect their mental state, impairing their perception of the world.

Poverty Creates Social Problems

A poor child, like a member of a minority, is quite often bullied by others, leading to a distancing from society. Such people become hermits and do not allow others to help them because they are afraid of being ridiculed. This includes children who are afraid of other children at school, even if they want to make friends and adults who subconsciously feel threatened by others. This is more evident in children, who often drop out of school because of the social distance and then cannot find a place in life. A result is a closed-off unit of society.

The Theory

My theory is based on the fact that poverty among minority populations is the result of psychological and sometimes physical pressure on a person because of their dissimilarity to the rest. The whole problem is prejudice and inequality between people, which makes the problem even worse every year. It is inequality that prevents people from being like the rest and getting the same opportunities just because of the color of their skin or belonging to different ethnic groups. This can be compared to the wheel of Sansara, where the cause is the effect, and the effect is the cause.

An Example

A perfect example of a crime committed by a teenager because of his financial situation is theft. This, he believes, is both an opportunity to make money and to raise authority amongst offenders like him. This child is not so much looking for an opportunity to make money as to show others like himself that he can be among them. This is what the theory suggests, that prejudice pushes a person to act. And just in this example, you can see how the child, although acting against the law, wants to get rid of the stigma of being not like others and become a full member of a society of his own kind.

Pros and Cons

The most important advantage of this theory is its clarity. It means that it is very easy to project it onto lifes circumstances and consider its objectivity by example. It is also a great advantage that it does not concentrate on a particular minority or child but covers all its representatives. Furthermore, it is universal to all countries of the world, as situations are often repeated. The disadvantages are that it is very broad and does not give a concrete picture of any given situation. It cannot be called complete and too many inputs are missing.

Reference

Todaro, M. P., & Smith, S. C. (2006). Economic development. Pearson Addison Wesley.

Introduction

It is impossible to address issues related to global poverty without discussing the importance of education. At the same time, it is impossible to talk about global poverty and education without discussing gender issues. Global leaders may focus their resources on fighting poverty and improving education but if they ignore gender issues then they will never be able to develop long-term solutions. It is important that leaders determine the link between poverty, education, and gender.

Although it is important to consider the importance of gender when it comes to the discussion about education and poverty, there is a tendency to cover a wide range of topics and resolve nothing. There is a danger of not being able to deal with some of the more important aspects of the issue regarding gender, education, and poverty. Thus, it would be of great help to limit the discussion using theoretical frameworks related to deregulation, liberalization, and privatization.

Education and Women

The United Nations understood that the poor educational treatment of girls is not only a matter of discrimination; it is bad economics and bad social policy (Stromquist, 2002, p.144). It is therefore important to provide women access to education because without it, there is no chance for upward social mobility. It is based on the principle that it is education that determines the level of prosperity, welfare, and security of the people (Dore, 1976, p.1). Women will continue to suffer in poverty without the capability to improve their situation.

In most cases, it is poverty that is the main culprit why women are unable to attend school (Vavrus, 2002). However, there are also social factors that are involved (Levinson, 1999, p.116). There is also the need to determine how resources have been used to help the poor and underprivileged (Brock-Utne, 1995, p.191). It can be argued that by analyzing economic theories such as deregulation, liberalization, and privatization, one can understand why equality is not enough when it comes to the plight of women on a global scale.

Economic theories on deregulation seek to remove the direct intervention of governments from addressing social issues. This is easily understood in the free market system used by most governments in the Western world. In theory, deregulation fosters competition. It will resultino the creation of free markets that enable the movement of goods and services without the added burdens imposed by government regulations. In theory, this will allow people to acquire the best product and service at the best price.

Those who support this view will reason out that the whole society can benefit from it. But it can be interpreted the other way, especially if it is analyzed from the point of view of women. The absence of regulation can easily create a situation wherein men will have major control over resources and as a result, women are left with leftovers. The same thing can be said about liberalization. In theory, liberalization can be seen as a heaven-sent solution to the plight of women. In essence, liberalization is synonymous with equality because women are treated as equals in a world dominated by men.

At first liberalization as a theory of economics seems beneficial to women but not after all the other social factors are considered. For example, in a liberalized society women are given the same opportunities as men but in the end they are unable to capitalize on these opportunities. They may have equal opportunities when it comes to the ability to apply and be accepted to work in an entry-level position but in the long run, men are promoted at a faster rate than their female counterparts.

Privatization when applied to the plight of women and their need for education can be seen as a solution with short-term benefits. Privatization is being pushed forward to provide an alternative means of acquiring high-quality education. But a closer examination will reveal that not all women have the financial resources to avail of services that resulted from privatization.

The Specifics of Gendered Issues

In a world where discrimination is slowly losing its stranglehold, there is a need to discuss the underlying problems. It is not enough to simply achieve equality. In the past women wanted a level playing field. Women wanted the same rights and privileges enjoyed by men. However, in this century, many of them came to realize that it is not enough to simply achieve equality but also the need to reexamine the role of women in society.

It is not enough to simply be given the same access to jobs it is also important to determine if their lives are better because of it. Access to the same job can also lead to more exploitation. It is also important to find out if women are treated the same way that society treated men. For example, it is easier to promote men over women because women are required to take care of their families. The need to deal with maternal instincts is seen as a liability by many companies. If women employees get pregnant this is seen as a productivity issue.

Women may find work but they can be exploited by unscrupulous businessmen. Consider for instance the horrifying working conditions in China: In the new booming export sectors of China, or elsewhere in East and South-Asia, where routinely issues of excessive working hours, low wages, and the absence of employment security and social protection have become commonplace, the conditions for work for the mainly rural migrants in those factories bear little resemblance to the regulated protected ideal of the formal economy (Pearson, 2007, p. 204). It is therefore important to look at the bigger picture.

One analyst explained the root cause of the problem by stating: The systematically inferior position of women inside and outside the household in many societies points to the necessity of treating gender as a force of its own in development analysis (Sen, 1987, p.123). It is of utmost importance especially if Westerners are developing policies without consideration of the social and cultural factors involved in Third World countries. In most cases, the identity of women is downplayed and in most cases, they are dependent on the male members of the household.

It is not only important to seek equality; it is also imperative to seek differentiation. Women must be considered as different from men and the differences do not make them inferior. According to one report, Neoliberal principles such as deregulation, liberalization are gendered because they simply assume womens ability and willingness to bear increasing demands on their labor, in household obligations of food provision, for child rearing and educating, and as caregivers for the elderly (Stromquist, 2002, p.138). In other words the maternal instincts of women and their tendency to carry the burden of child-rearing must not be seen as a weakness but rather as a positive attribute.

If governments and other agencies dedicated to solving the problem of global poverty understands the need to go beyond equality then resources will be utilized based on the idea that women must be treated differently. It is not enough to simply provide access to schools; the government must actively participate in finding out why women under their rule are not able to go to school. Governments must be wise enough to balance liberalization, deregulation, and privatization with other social factors so that these will not work against women.

Conclusion

Economic theories like liberalization, deregulation, and privatization were developed to address global poverty. But when it comes to women and their need for education, these economic theories act as deterrents rather than enablers. The solution is to go beyond the usual rhetoric that accompanies womens cry for equality and access to equal opportunities. It is time to go beyond the clamor for equal treatment. It has been discovered that even if women are given the same opportunities they are unable to capitalize on these opportunities because of the way they are perceived by society. Thus, donor agencies and government funds can pour into a particular area and yet at the end of the day it is the men who will benefit and not the women. It is imperative not only to strive for equality but also differentiation. Society must acknowledge that women are different. Their being different must not be interpreted as a sign of weakness. Women are different for a purpose and it must not be used against them. With this mindset, policies and projects must be established in such a way that women can easily participate and enjoy the rights and privileges accorded to them.

References

Brock-Utne, B. 1995. Cultural conditionality and aid to education in East Africa. International Review of Education, 41(3), pp. 177-197.

Dore, R. 1976. The disease: education, qualification and development. London: George Allen and Unwin.

Levinson, B. 1999. Una etapa siempre dificil: concepts of adolescence and secondary education in Mexico. Comparative Educational Review, 43(2), pp.115-146.

Pearson, R. 2007. Feminisms in development: contradictions, contestations and challenges. New York: Zed Books.

Sen, A. 1987. Gender and cooperative conflicts. New York: United Nations University.

Stromquist, N. 2002. Education in a globalized world: the connectivity of economic power, technology, and knowledge. MD: Rowman and Littlefield.

Vavrus, F. 2002. Making distinctions: privatization and the uneducated girl on Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. International Journal of Education Development, 22(5), pp. 527-547.

Poverty is characterized by unequal allocation of land and resources, a low growth rate of incomes, limited job opportunities, poor population control, and failure in the promotion of a nations economic growth. Poor people lack the means to satisfy their basic needs, including food, shelter, clothing, sanitation, education, and healthcare. Social and economic status can affect peoples decision-making and behaviors towards a particular situation. People growing up in poverty make their decisions based on the active circumstances for survival. Countries or people with low socio-economic status are associated with inhibited performance in activities assessing educational ability due to insufficient cognitive resources essential to perform well in learning institutions. Enough learning materials help students acquire diverse knowledge from various information sources that allow them to make informed decisions critical for solving the present and future challenges. Poverty impacts peoples lives, including children, unemployment, poor infrastructure, child labor, malnutrition, and diseases. Promoting equality and representation for all, increasing access to education, and food security is the best solution to eliminate poverty and enhance economic development.

Poverty weakens a countrys economy when people spend less money on their daily activities, including education, investments, and job opportunities. children from low-income societies attend schools that pay a low amount of money in exchange for teaching. These schools lack funding resources to finance their learning materials essential for learning (Bellani and Bia 52). Students underperform because the available study materials do not equip them with vasty skills necessary for tackling complex tasks and presents them with limited skills and knowledge for various job opportunities. these students cannot be selected for global job openings that aim to promote diversity because of their poor educational backgrounds, and limited skills on the available fields. Investment invisibilities, including fixed spending costs, promote incomplete or uncompetitive markets which harm the countrys economy. Poor people cannot invest in risky business or global markets because they fair the risks associated with market failures. Poverty hinders peoples expenditure and poses difficulties in education and investments, weakening a countrys economic status.

Poverty is associated with the social exclusion concept. The poor people have to live with other poor individuals with denial of goods and services, resources, and inability to experience social equality with that better-off class of people. Social exclusion is concerned with groups rather than individuals who are excluded from ordinary activities of the society due to their socio-economic status that hinder their participation with others (Hoff and Walsh 20). people who experience SE develop a certain level of aggression which damages their ability to control behaviors and perceive other actions as hostile. For instance, other families cannot serve a visitor until they are done eating, which can be aggressive behavior to others from a different group. Social exclusion can cause conflicts in schools and the neighborhood, resulting in wars and fights between communities. People experiencing SE can develop mental health concerns, decrease productivity, and impact employee turnover. Tackling social exclusion can help eliminate poverty and promote better income, health, education, and equal allocation of resources critical for a strong economy and social wellbeing.

A strong community is characterized by a better education system, high-quality healthcare, employment, and people with passion and diverse perspectives to share and create a comprehensive platform for cohesion and resilience. Communities face challenges, and with all the aspects of a strong community maintained, people can make informed decisions and real and lasting change to solve community problems (Koh). People from various communities within a country can share values and norms, which can be fundamental for the countrys progress. Sharing knowledge and skills can be critical for increasing and strengthening the economic status. Strong communities create common goals, freedom of expression, promote fairness, and address individual issues with sensitivity to avoid conflicts. However, poverty undermines all these aspects of a strong community, leading to inequality and corruption that leads to unemployment and limited access to education and healthcare. Therefore, with proper strategies to eliminate poverty, the challenges associated with poor socio-economic status can be solved to provide a better lifestyle for everyone.

Poverty negatively affects childrens wellbeing, emotional and cognitive development, social behaviors, and schooling. In low-income families, pregnant mothers experience issues with maternal malnutrition and disease, which determine the survival rate of the infant. Problems including premature birth expose a child to the unhealthy lifestyle associated with chronic health issues that limit the childs ability to perform daily activities and require medical attention. Chronic conditions including heart disease, diabetes, and cancer are life-threatening and can result in death. These childrens health may not allow them access to a good education because of their infections that require attention. Poverty increases childrens physical and emotional stress characterized by insufficient care and economic resources within a family lead to child labor and trafficking (Bellani and Bia 40). Social deprivation associated with poverty makes children feel less valued, lower self-esteem, and other mental illnesses affect their cognitive development. Poor health outcomes affect peoples productivity and performance, providing limited job opportunities to foster personal growth.

People living in poverty lack resources to acquire a decent job that pays a living wage or may not be employed because of their skill set that does not conform to job specifications. If hired, their income does not meet all the necessary expenses for their families, which leads to indebtedness from loans carried to support their needs. The use of savings to perform functions including malnutrition reduces future retirement funds affecting ones financial status, and eventually unemployed. In a country with a high unemployment rate and an increasing population, the future generation and employment are highly impacted, which will create a context where the majority of the citizens are poor (Bala et al.50). As a result, the countrys economic status is hindered, and poverty rued everywhere, leading to healthcare risks, limited access to education, and job opportunities. A high unemployment rate presents youth with a chance to engage in other criminal activities to earn income. As the number of criminals increases in a country, political instability emerges, affecting other sectors of the economy, including healthcare, education, and trading essential for a strong economic country.

Infrastructure is a significant determinant of a well-developed country, including a better healthcare system, food security, education, employment, and transportation. With proper infrastructure, communities experience increased productivity and quality of life (Koh). Operational procedures and facilities that facilitate performance contribute to the countrys infrastructure, including roads and railways, sanitation equipment, communication channels, and power supplies. Consistent power availability in every location promotes advanced functionality in educational institutes, markets, and healthcare settings. Without a proper functional infrastructure, the production of resources in industries and other platforms is reduced, hindering its development, which causes economic instability and low living standards. For instance, the unavailability of transportation in a particular country community indicates that people from those areas cannot easily travel to towns or cities for jobs. Places with sufficient and well-established healthcare structures experience high-quality care, and better roads facilitate access to care plans. Poor roads pose difficulty for companies that may want to shift to rural areas for development and expansion, leading to loss of opportunities for rural area residents. Without jobs, people cannot satisfy their basic needs leading to poverty.

The effect of poverty on children and education is the most important to pay attention to because proper education promotes equality and representation for everyone, and children will grow with a diverse mindset. New generations come with the advancement of what they found existing (Kirp). Those from low-income families will continue being poor unless they develop a new way of living different from their parents. Those born and see their parent corrupting others or accepting corruption will continue to follow what their elders are doing, and the process will continue. Paying attention to these two effects of poverty, and employing the best strategies, including ensuring equal education for all, can help solve challenges associated with poverty and promote a better lifestyle for everyone.

Increasing access to education equips students with the vast skills and knowledge needed for career opportunities, and they can make informed decisions for future changes. Equal education will promote equality and representation for all, avoiding marginalization (Bellani and Bia 60). Ensuring all groups are involved in decision-making is critical to eliminating poverty. Students from low-income countries acquire primary education without advancements or tackling essential aspects of the intended study. In this case, if those countries improve their education system and ensure equal education, those countries can significantly reduce poverty. Education equips students with knowledge and skills to be intelligent and positively impact their lives.

The effects of poverty on peoples living standards and access to resources are well known. Deprivation is an important matter that needs attention to avoid the emergence of various diseases and promote a better lifestyle (Kirp). Poverty is associated with unemployment, health concerns, and poor infrastructure. Nevertheless, being poor is a personal decision. One of free societys principles is the right for people to choose what they want to be with themselves. In this context, people choose to drink to the extent of resignation from their current jobs, and the moment they realize they need an appointment, it is already taken by others. Additionally, people from wealthy families choose to be thieves and perform crimes. Therefore, it would be inappropriate for the government to select peoples will, and it would cause conflicts if nations implement laws that take away peoples freedom.

In conclusion, poverty affects many people globally, experiencing poor living conditions, limited access to education, unemployment, poor infrastructure, malnutrition, and child labor. Poverty affects childrens cognitive development because they grow up in poor living conditions with a flawed education system and infrastructure that does not promote high-quality studies. These conditions lead to lower-confident, lower self-esteemed individuals with low academic performance, limiting employment opportunities. Poverty affects peoples health, including newborn babies with chronic conditions that negatively impact their living standards. Impoverished people live in poor infrastructure, which poses transportation, healthcare, and educational difficulties. Equality and representation for all and quality education are the best solutions for eliminating poverty and ensuring better living standards.

Works Cited

Bala, Umar et al. Impact of Population Growth, Poverty and Unemployment on Economic Growth. Asian Business Research Journal, vol. 5, 2020, pp. 48-54. Asian Educational Journal Publishing Group.

Bellani, Luna, and Michela Bia. The LongRun Effect of Childhood Poverty and The Mediating Role of Education. Journal Of the Royal Statistical Society: Series A (Statistics in Society), vol. 182, no. 1, 2018, pp. 37-68. Wiley.

Hoff, Karla, and James Walsh. The Whys of Social Exclusion: Insights from Behavioral Economics. The World Bank Research Observer, vol. 33, no. 1, 2018, pp. 1-33. Oxford University Press (OUP).

Kirp, David. Opinion | A Way to Break the Cycle of Poverty. Nytimes.Com, 2021. Web.

Koh, Jae-Myong. Green Infrastructure Financing. Palgrave Macmillan, 2018.