1/2) Who do you think is poor, both in the United States and globally?Why do you believe people are poor in the United States and globally?
I think its easy to say that immigrants, more specifically illegal, are poor. Of course not all, but think of how hard it is to get a legitimate well paying job, with benefits when you aren't supposed to be in the country. I know many illegal immigrants who come to this country, work, to send money back home. They live in sacrificed conditions, many people squeezed into one small apartment, and work long hours for low pay. However, if you ask them, they are perfectly content. They came into this country for a new life. To help support their families. $1 earned in this country is worth 6 or more in many others. I can understand that people think illegal immigrants drive down wages. I really can. In a local union where guys are making $20-40/hr, I know for a fact there are many smaller business that do similar work and pay people well below 10. There are people who are willing to do it for less. There always has been and always will be. But how many Americans would take those hard labor jobs for less than $10 an hour? I don't know the statistics, but I'm sure it's a lot harder to find them.
3/4) Speaking of more border control, (Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1996) I don't think that the actual border control will work. Even if you double it. People are going to find a way into this country, even if they have to dig tunnels. I do think that imposing sanctions on the employers hiring illegals would be more effective. But then I wonder how many countries will outsource, aside from the numerous companies that already do. The Welfare Reform took away welfare, food stamps, and medicaid to many illegal immigrants...While it's understandable that there are laws to prevent people from using our system when they are here illegally, what is wrong with this is that these people are coming and have been coming, and aren't necessarily going anywhere. We've learned that keeping people from furthering their education has prevented people from excelling in life. So our immigrant system is pretty much perpetuating the poverty cycle. What about the children that are born to illegal immigrants that are citizens of the US? They will be raised in extremely poor environments, and will have a much harder time growing up.
Monday, April 18, 2011
Monday, April 11, 2011
Session 12
1/2) Who do you think is poor, both in the United States and globally?Why do you believe people are poor in the United States and globally?
Many people struggle with their housing situation. This is a major cost, and one of the largest chunks of most household budgets. According the our slides, the highest rate of critical housing needs are in the west and the northeast. I found that particularly surprising for a couple of reasons. Since we have learned that education is a crucial factor in relation to the poverty level, it is no shocker that Georgia, being one of the lowest states ranked for education, would produced an environment that perpetuates a cycle of the uneducated. Regardless, critical housing needs have skyrocketed among more than just those who are poor rising 73% in recent years! I have friends who have applied for Section 8, the housing voucher program, and have been on the waiting list for over 5 years...5 years! They say so many people are just one paycheck away from homelessness that the fact that someone is waiting for 5 plus years to receive assistance is pretty disturbing. With that being said, it is very critical that these issues be addressed because housing after all, provides more than a roof over someone's head. It gives them more potential to become hired, let alone maintain a job. The stress levels on those who are struggling with these problems can lead them to become irritated, frustrated, stressed- issues we all face at times, and we all know how easily it can disturb our job performance- and we all need a job!
3/4) What do you think is being done about poverty (e.g., specific policies and programs in the United States and globally) and how well do you think poverty is being addressed?What do you personally think should be done about poverty in United States and globally (e.g., specific private and government policies, programs, etc. that you would recommend)?
Aside from the Section 8 housing, which is a voucher system that gives allowances towards rent, there are other things that are also done. When I lived in East Atlanta, they tore down a housing project to replace with a tastefully done, large, gorgeous apartment complex. The re-gentrification process had to provide a certain percentage of those who were displaced by this renovation the opportunity to stay in the complex. The problem I had with it? I was paying over $1000 a month (and this was 8 years ago) with neighbors who didn't work, sold drugs, I lost count of the number of times the cops came to my house for repeat break ins (let alone attempts.) So many tenants left because they couldn't deal with it. I remember thinking what an awful cycle was being repeated. Small children were growing up in this environment, only to be surrounded by those who could tolerate the conditions(because they weren't giving up the amenities at such a low price.) These children were going to grow up seeing these crimes, raised by the uneducated, and most likely fall victim to their environment. On a side note, Section 8 is supposed to have a positive effect on this in some areas, offering children more stability and less moving, which helps their attentiveness and academic capabilities. While I couldn't handle that particular area, I was able to move to many other re-gentrified areas of the city. Areas that were up and coming and extremely mixed. Areas benefiting from the HOPE VI (via section 8 vouchers) which aims to improve the overall look, and maintenance of some of the dilapidated areas around the city. This will draw people who might not want to move there otherwise, creating a more mixed environment. Also, the city of Atlanta, and some surrounding counties are offering tax incentives/breaks to those that live in these areas. In 2011, we will take a break any way we can!
Many people struggle with their housing situation. This is a major cost, and one of the largest chunks of most household budgets. According the our slides, the highest rate of critical housing needs are in the west and the northeast. I found that particularly surprising for a couple of reasons. Since we have learned that education is a crucial factor in relation to the poverty level, it is no shocker that Georgia, being one of the lowest states ranked for education, would produced an environment that perpetuates a cycle of the uneducated. Regardless, critical housing needs have skyrocketed among more than just those who are poor rising 73% in recent years! I have friends who have applied for Section 8, the housing voucher program, and have been on the waiting list for over 5 years...5 years! They say so many people are just one paycheck away from homelessness that the fact that someone is waiting for 5 plus years to receive assistance is pretty disturbing. With that being said, it is very critical that these issues be addressed because housing after all, provides more than a roof over someone's head. It gives them more potential to become hired, let alone maintain a job. The stress levels on those who are struggling with these problems can lead them to become irritated, frustrated, stressed- issues we all face at times, and we all know how easily it can disturb our job performance- and we all need a job!
3/4) What do you think is being done about poverty (e.g., specific policies and programs in the United States and globally) and how well do you think poverty is being addressed?What do you personally think should be done about poverty in United States and globally (e.g., specific private and government policies, programs, etc. that you would recommend)?
Aside from the Section 8 housing, which is a voucher system that gives allowances towards rent, there are other things that are also done. When I lived in East Atlanta, they tore down a housing project to replace with a tastefully done, large, gorgeous apartment complex. The re-gentrification process had to provide a certain percentage of those who were displaced by this renovation the opportunity to stay in the complex. The problem I had with it? I was paying over $1000 a month (and this was 8 years ago) with neighbors who didn't work, sold drugs, I lost count of the number of times the cops came to my house for repeat break ins (let alone attempts.) So many tenants left because they couldn't deal with it. I remember thinking what an awful cycle was being repeated. Small children were growing up in this environment, only to be surrounded by those who could tolerate the conditions(because they weren't giving up the amenities at such a low price.) These children were going to grow up seeing these crimes, raised by the uneducated, and most likely fall victim to their environment. On a side note, Section 8 is supposed to have a positive effect on this in some areas, offering children more stability and less moving, which helps their attentiveness and academic capabilities. While I couldn't handle that particular area, I was able to move to many other re-gentrified areas of the city. Areas that were up and coming and extremely mixed. Areas benefiting from the HOPE VI (via section 8 vouchers) which aims to improve the overall look, and maintenance of some of the dilapidated areas around the city. This will draw people who might not want to move there otherwise, creating a more mixed environment. Also, the city of Atlanta, and some surrounding counties are offering tax incentives/breaks to those that live in these areas. In 2011, we will take a break any way we can!
Monday, April 4, 2011
Session 11
1/2) Who do you think is poor, both in the United States and globally?Why do you believe people are poor in the United States and globally?
As we have discussed earlier there are many things that can attribute to people falling below the poverty line. Covering Social Security it is easy to assume that the very people who live below the line, would be those that depended solely on Social Security. I know that it is frustrating every week that are paychecks are dissolved to taxes. A question I ask myself is, I am having all of this money taken out to Social Security, but is it worth it? Will I even see it? I wonder if I would be better off choosing to not have it taken out and take the money and invest it into some stocks, or CDs. Now that I think about it....Hmmm....It is very important for our generation to realize this will be a major problem for us in the future. Because, imagine the struggle people are having now, and when we are older, the idea that there will be even less to depend on (if any of all...projected exhaustion- 2041!)I am fortunate enough to have a 401k plan that I consistently add to. I am also very disciplined in not touching that money. Another problem that many people struggle with that hit hard times. Pulling out from your 401k plans will lead you to being double taxed, and minimize what is there to rely on later when Social Security doesn't cut it.
3/4) What do you think is being done about poverty (e.g., specific policies and programs in the United States and globally) and how well do you think poverty is being addressed?What do you personally think should be done about poverty in United States and globally (e.g., specific private and government policies, programs, etc. that you would recommend)?
Unfortunately, there is alot on the government's plate here in the US. Wars, foreign issues, poverty levels, a dissipated economy....I think Social Security isn't a priority. While Social Security is a program that helps those in need, along with Disability, and Medicare trust funds, they problem still at hand is there is just not enough. I find it ironic that the suggestion for people to work into their 70s to help decrease the problems, yet last week we learned that we have one of the lower life expectancy rates in comparison to other industrialized nations! I remember my grandfather, an oral surgeon, pulling teach into his 80s! I used to think, while he was fortunate enough to not need to continue working, that he was lucky that he was still healthy enough to work if he had to! Think of how many people aren't that fortunate? How will we provide for them in 2041 and beyond? I think that it is important to evaluate other ways to ensure that people will have assistance in those decades and beyond. And ideally, be receiving more than they are now.
As we have discussed earlier there are many things that can attribute to people falling below the poverty line. Covering Social Security it is easy to assume that the very people who live below the line, would be those that depended solely on Social Security. I know that it is frustrating every week that are paychecks are dissolved to taxes. A question I ask myself is, I am having all of this money taken out to Social Security, but is it worth it? Will I even see it? I wonder if I would be better off choosing to not have it taken out and take the money and invest it into some stocks, or CDs. Now that I think about it....Hmmm....It is very important for our generation to realize this will be a major problem for us in the future. Because, imagine the struggle people are having now, and when we are older, the idea that there will be even less to depend on (if any of all...projected exhaustion- 2041!)I am fortunate enough to have a 401k plan that I consistently add to. I am also very disciplined in not touching that money. Another problem that many people struggle with that hit hard times. Pulling out from your 401k plans will lead you to being double taxed, and minimize what is there to rely on later when Social Security doesn't cut it.
3/4) What do you think is being done about poverty (e.g., specific policies and programs in the United States and globally) and how well do you think poverty is being addressed?What do you personally think should be done about poverty in United States and globally (e.g., specific private and government policies, programs, etc. that you would recommend)?
Unfortunately, there is alot on the government's plate here in the US. Wars, foreign issues, poverty levels, a dissipated economy....I think Social Security isn't a priority. While Social Security is a program that helps those in need, along with Disability, and Medicare trust funds, they problem still at hand is there is just not enough. I find it ironic that the suggestion for people to work into their 70s to help decrease the problems, yet last week we learned that we have one of the lower life expectancy rates in comparison to other industrialized nations! I remember my grandfather, an oral surgeon, pulling teach into his 80s! I used to think, while he was fortunate enough to not need to continue working, that he was lucky that he was still healthy enough to work if he had to! Think of how many people aren't that fortunate? How will we provide for them in 2041 and beyond? I think that it is important to evaluate other ways to ensure that people will have assistance in those decades and beyond. And ideally, be receiving more than they are now.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Session 10
1/2) Who do you think is poor, both in the United States and globally?Why do you believe people are poor in the United States and globally?
Pertaining to health care, almost everyone I know can be poor when it comes to the asinine amounts of money that we need to spend in this country to be covered. I have had some mind boggling experiences with doctors and the health care industry, the biggest being a check up of STDs and AIDs. I was always taught in school that it was something that should be taken seriously and I have prided myself on staying committed to regularly. Planned Parenthood was very involved in my neighborhood growing up so I got my tests done there for free. When I had insurance as an adult, they covered $70 of the $980 worth of lab work. That didn't include the $350 office visit for 15 minutes of work. I was completely taken back by that. I knew that it was no wonder why so many people didn't choose to have this kind of testing done. It's a ridiculous amount of money for something that should be easily accessible to all. Another thing that has had me at my wits end with the insurance industry is...through my job, I get paid benefits daily for my retirement and insurance. It goes into a separate account that I cannot touch. The insurance coverage for my son and I is over 2 thousand dollars every 3 months. If I don't have enough in my benefits fund I have to come out of pocket for it. Needless to say, it is almost impossible to keep up with. I can't get assistance because I technically make too much, but when you take out my taxes, and then my insurance costs...trust me, there is barely anything left over. I strongly believe that many people fall below the poverty line trying to keep up with insurance premiums that are on the rise. I also believe that there are many who will never get out from below that line due to past due medical bills that have buried them.
3/4) What do you think is being done about poverty (e.g., specific policies and programs in the United States and globally) and how well do you think poverty is being addressed?What do you personally think should be done about poverty in United States and globally (e.g., specific private and government policies, programs, etc. that you would recommend)?
I do think that the association between poverty and health care has been addressed in our country. However, I do not think that it is a top priority. Which is disappointing. So many times have I seen first hand people avoid seeking health care, or prolonging it, that in some cases its almost deadly. Health care is something that should be affordable to all of us. It is something that I don't think should be free, but it shouldn't cost more a year than someones mortgage. There has to be a way that fees can be reduced (doctors, lab, etc.) so that coverage can be extended to everyone. There are many places that are out there attempting to help those who need medical attention. I know that there is now minute clinics at local drug stores who offer low cost simple medical diagnoses. There are also many stores offering generic prescription plans starting at $3 for qualifying prescriptions. I don't know if our government and the people will ever be able to agree on a health plan for this country. But we have to look at the statistics- there is no way that the United States, with it's advanced knowledge and access, should be that far down the list for infant mortality and life expectancy; ESPECIALLY when we have the highest premiums. That math equation doesn't make sense. I will continue to struggle to stay above the poverty line unless there are some restrictions placed on these big market insurance companies. I only hope that they start to see these billion dollar industries are leeching off of the struggling in our nation.
Pertaining to health care, almost everyone I know can be poor when it comes to the asinine amounts of money that we need to spend in this country to be covered. I have had some mind boggling experiences with doctors and the health care industry, the biggest being a check up of STDs and AIDs. I was always taught in school that it was something that should be taken seriously and I have prided myself on staying committed to regularly. Planned Parenthood was very involved in my neighborhood growing up so I got my tests done there for free. When I had insurance as an adult, they covered $70 of the $980 worth of lab work. That didn't include the $350 office visit for 15 minutes of work. I was completely taken back by that. I knew that it was no wonder why so many people didn't choose to have this kind of testing done. It's a ridiculous amount of money for something that should be easily accessible to all. Another thing that has had me at my wits end with the insurance industry is...through my job, I get paid benefits daily for my retirement and insurance. It goes into a separate account that I cannot touch. The insurance coverage for my son and I is over 2 thousand dollars every 3 months. If I don't have enough in my benefits fund I have to come out of pocket for it. Needless to say, it is almost impossible to keep up with. I can't get assistance because I technically make too much, but when you take out my taxes, and then my insurance costs...trust me, there is barely anything left over. I strongly believe that many people fall below the poverty line trying to keep up with insurance premiums that are on the rise. I also believe that there are many who will never get out from below that line due to past due medical bills that have buried them.
3/4) What do you think is being done about poverty (e.g., specific policies and programs in the United States and globally) and how well do you think poverty is being addressed?What do you personally think should be done about poverty in United States and globally (e.g., specific private and government policies, programs, etc. that you would recommend)?
I do think that the association between poverty and health care has been addressed in our country. However, I do not think that it is a top priority. Which is disappointing. So many times have I seen first hand people avoid seeking health care, or prolonging it, that in some cases its almost deadly. Health care is something that should be affordable to all of us. It is something that I don't think should be free, but it shouldn't cost more a year than someones mortgage. There has to be a way that fees can be reduced (doctors, lab, etc.) so that coverage can be extended to everyone. There are many places that are out there attempting to help those who need medical attention. I know that there is now minute clinics at local drug stores who offer low cost simple medical diagnoses. There are also many stores offering generic prescription plans starting at $3 for qualifying prescriptions. I don't know if our government and the people will ever be able to agree on a health plan for this country. But we have to look at the statistics- there is no way that the United States, with it's advanced knowledge and access, should be that far down the list for infant mortality and life expectancy; ESPECIALLY when we have the highest premiums. That math equation doesn't make sense. I will continue to struggle to stay above the poverty line unless there are some restrictions placed on these big market insurance companies. I only hope that they start to see these billion dollar industries are leeching off of the struggling in our nation.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Session 8
1/2) Who do you think is poor, both in the United States and globally?Why do you believe people are poor in the United States and globally?
I think that the movie further proved the importance of education. Angie's daughter in the film had gotten pregnant, dropped out of school, as did her brother. So her mother is working the job with the more reliable income, but is ultimately going to carry the weight of the children or those living in her house that didn't continue on with their education. Through my volunteer opportunity I saw that there are community centers out there who really promote the advancement beyond state assistance. It is important for those to want to break away from the poverty line, to work hard for any and all opportunities that will help them see beyond that line. But it is also important to not want to be poor, people who want to do better no matter how much hard work it takes. At the Center for Working families in downtown Atlanta, they offer many types of assistance, but people have to be wanting and willing to do the work, and have the perseverance to see their way through the doors that centers and other government programs open for them. We have learned that poverty is easily perpetuated. It takes just one family member to change the fate of the future family's generations.
3/4) What do you think is being done about poverty (e.g., specific policies and programs in the United States and globally) and how well do you think poverty is being addressed?/What do you personally think should be done about poverty in United States and globally (e.g., specific private and government policies, programs, etc. that you would recommend)?
American Dream really got my mind rolling...the woman in the film, Angie, is a walking example of what the welfare system strives for. While she used assistance, she eventually was able to become a nurses aid, make above minimum wage, and maintain a job with benefits, including a 401k plan. The movie does point out that Angie still continued to struggle. This is where I feel our system fails. I'm going to go out on a limb, and possibly offend, but it's really sad that the people who actually work hard for their money, have more financial burdens then those who have a full ride from the government. We need to still have programs that help those who are just above the poverty line. Whether it be higher income bracket cut offs for utility bills (as even the clip references Angie has had her utilities cut off more than once.) I have personally seen people collect welfare that are unemployed but still receive food stamps, WIC, Section 8, Medicaid and utility benefits have less financial burdens then many who work full time. When are we going to re design these programs to help those who truly are trying to rise above? I am sure that it is beyond frustrating to work and still do nothing but struggle. I'm not quite sure what the easy fix would be, but it sure seems that if we want these programs to be encouraging people to use them temporarily, we need to make a life without using these programs just as appealing.
I think that the movie further proved the importance of education. Angie's daughter in the film had gotten pregnant, dropped out of school, as did her brother. So her mother is working the job with the more reliable income, but is ultimately going to carry the weight of the children or those living in her house that didn't continue on with their education. Through my volunteer opportunity I saw that there are community centers out there who really promote the advancement beyond state assistance. It is important for those to want to break away from the poverty line, to work hard for any and all opportunities that will help them see beyond that line. But it is also important to not want to be poor, people who want to do better no matter how much hard work it takes. At the Center for Working families in downtown Atlanta, they offer many types of assistance, but people have to be wanting and willing to do the work, and have the perseverance to see their way through the doors that centers and other government programs open for them. We have learned that poverty is easily perpetuated. It takes just one family member to change the fate of the future family's generations.
3/4) What do you think is being done about poverty (e.g., specific policies and programs in the United States and globally) and how well do you think poverty is being addressed?/What do you personally think should be done about poverty in United States and globally (e.g., specific private and government policies, programs, etc. that you would recommend)?
American Dream really got my mind rolling...the woman in the film, Angie, is a walking example of what the welfare system strives for. While she used assistance, she eventually was able to become a nurses aid, make above minimum wage, and maintain a job with benefits, including a 401k plan. The movie does point out that Angie still continued to struggle. This is where I feel our system fails. I'm going to go out on a limb, and possibly offend, but it's really sad that the people who actually work hard for their money, have more financial burdens then those who have a full ride from the government. We need to still have programs that help those who are just above the poverty line. Whether it be higher income bracket cut offs for utility bills (as even the clip references Angie has had her utilities cut off more than once.) I have personally seen people collect welfare that are unemployed but still receive food stamps, WIC, Section 8, Medicaid and utility benefits have less financial burdens then many who work full time. When are we going to re design these programs to help those who truly are trying to rise above? I am sure that it is beyond frustrating to work and still do nothing but struggle. I'm not quite sure what the easy fix would be, but it sure seems that if we want these programs to be encouraging people to use them temporarily, we need to make a life without using these programs just as appealing.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Session 6
This week we got into some very detailed information pertaining to poverty and it's association with wages. I found it very interesting especially since we had just done our group exercises, and a lot of our research done prior really helped to tie the information together.
1/2) Who do you think is poor, both in the United States and globally?Why do you believe people are poor in the United States and globally?Why do you believe people are poor in the United States and globally?
It is easy to draw the conclusion that those paid at the minimum wage level, or very close to, would be those that were considered poor. An interesting portion of our reading this week included the self sufficiency standards that were county wide for Georgia. I compared the income that would be considered standard, in other words, would provide the basic/mandatory amount of money to pay for the necessities, in 2 counties. Since I lived in Dekalb, I looked it out and the month self sufficiency earning minimum would be $2,495 (minimum wage would need to be $14.18 to meet that monthly cost.) I compared that to Appling County (a smaller county in Southeast GA) and the self sufficiency earning minimum would be $1,843 (with minimum wage needing to be $10.47.) Now it is easy to understand why these two counties would have over a $650 difference. A metropolitan area versus a rural area will run your rent higher,child care higher, etc. But then I began wondering.....If minimum wage is a set amount state wide, what makes up that huge gap in necessary earnings? If you made minimum wage according to county, which would solve some of the blows to the counties who would need to earn more compared the overall state needs, then I think it would be very easily for companies to move to surrounding counties in order to save money by having jobs that required less pay. I think it is important for us to understand that people living solely off of minimum wage paying jobs, or other jobs such as tipped jobs (waitressing, deliveries) that offer a $2.13 hourly rate, will consistently struggle with living a life above the poverty line. Monthly expenses will typically exceed the income brought into the household, and will leave people with little (more likely no) additional money after the basic necessities are paid for.
3/4) What do you think is being done about poverty (e.g., specific policies and programs in the United States and globally) and how well do you think poverty is being addressed?What do you personally think should be done about poverty in United States and globally (e.g., specific private and government policies, programs, etc. that you would recommend)?
Some specific include the Equal Pay Act of 1963, offering Equal pay provisions prohibit sex-based wage differentials between men and women employed in the same establishment who perform jobs requiring equal effort, skill, and responsibility. The Fair Labor Standards Act is the Federal law which sets minimum wage, overtime, record keeping, and youth employment standards.
It is important to remember also that while there are some acts, laws, and support efforts that advocate the minimum wages, we have to understand what the minimum wage means to each individual family, and how easily it varies on family size, location, and regions. I really don't have an answer as to how we can help fix this common issue, other than what we have been talking about all semester so far....educate yourself on what the problems are relating to poverty, do everything in your power to avoid some of the leading causes (pursue higher education, job promotions, avoid lower paying jobs, etc.) and while of course that won't help everyone, knowledge is power and if you know some of the common causes to facing the poverty line, maybe it can help you avoid it somewhat....
1/2) Who do you think is poor, both in the United States and globally?Why do you believe people are poor in the United States and globally?Why do you believe people are poor in the United States and globally?
It is easy to draw the conclusion that those paid at the minimum wage level, or very close to, would be those that were considered poor. An interesting portion of our reading this week included the self sufficiency standards that were county wide for Georgia. I compared the income that would be considered standard, in other words, would provide the basic/mandatory amount of money to pay for the necessities, in 2 counties. Since I lived in Dekalb, I looked it out and the month self sufficiency earning minimum would be $2,495 (minimum wage would need to be $14.18 to meet that monthly cost.) I compared that to Appling County (a smaller county in Southeast GA) and the self sufficiency earning minimum would be $1,843 (with minimum wage needing to be $10.47.) Now it is easy to understand why these two counties would have over a $650 difference. A metropolitan area versus a rural area will run your rent higher,child care higher, etc. But then I began wondering.....If minimum wage is a set amount state wide, what makes up that huge gap in necessary earnings? If you made minimum wage according to county, which would solve some of the blows to the counties who would need to earn more compared the overall state needs, then I think it would be very easily for companies to move to surrounding counties in order to save money by having jobs that required less pay. I think it is important for us to understand that people living solely off of minimum wage paying jobs, or other jobs such as tipped jobs (waitressing, deliveries) that offer a $2.13 hourly rate, will consistently struggle with living a life above the poverty line. Monthly expenses will typically exceed the income brought into the household, and will leave people with little (more likely no) additional money after the basic necessities are paid for.
3/4) What do you think is being done about poverty (e.g., specific policies and programs in the United States and globally) and how well do you think poverty is being addressed?What do you personally think should be done about poverty in United States and globally (e.g., specific private and government policies, programs, etc. that you would recommend)?
Some specific include the Equal Pay Act of 1963, offering Equal pay provisions prohibit sex-based wage differentials between men and women employed in the same establishment who perform jobs requiring equal effort, skill, and responsibility. The Fair Labor Standards Act is the Federal law which sets minimum wage, overtime, record keeping, and youth employment standards.
It is important to remember also that while there are some acts, laws, and support efforts that advocate the minimum wages, we have to understand what the minimum wage means to each individual family, and how easily it varies on family size, location, and regions. I really don't have an answer as to how we can help fix this common issue, other than what we have been talking about all semester so far....educate yourself on what the problems are relating to poverty, do everything in your power to avoid some of the leading causes (pursue higher education, job promotions, avoid lower paying jobs, etc.) and while of course that won't help everyone, knowledge is power and if you know some of the common causes to facing the poverty line, maybe it can help you avoid it somewhat....
Monday, February 14, 2011
Session 5
1/2) Who/why do you think is poor, both in the United States and globally?
As we get further into our readings it is easy to begin to understand who and why some people struggle to keep their families above the poverty line, and understand why so many have fallen below. We learned this week that family structure can be associated with higher poverty rates which makes sense, such as larger families with limited job skills for the working parents, families who have to take care of extended family members (disabilities, grandparents,etc.) can also easily cause tension for a family's income. Single parent households will always face a greater disadvantage as it is one income that has to absorb an entire families needs financially. The conclusion of the impact of racial discrimination and poverty (deviant cultural response) in combination with Oscar Lewis' theory that the poor contributed to their own impoverishment makes me fear the inevitable- a perpetuating cycle that will be hard to break. Unfortunately we do not live in a discrimination free world, and the argument that the attitudes, values, and personality traits of a people, prove that it will take much more than just higher paying jobs/job availability to break this cycle.
3/4) What do you think is being done about poverty (e.g., specific policies and programs in the United States and globally) and how well do you think poverty is being addressed? What do you personally think should be done about poverty in United States and globally
In the US there are many programs in place that offer some assistance to people who are below certain income levels: food stamps, section 8 housing, unemployment, etc. I know from first hand however that some of the income restrictions on these programs are beyond asinine. So many people need help that are above these maximum requirements. I understand that of course, these wells will eventually run dry and not everyone can be helped. But maybe our government could figure our a way to offer assistance to people above these program's cut off lines for temporary periods. I know that there are many people who do not rely on aid indefinitely and they would only need it for a temporary period of time to get out of their rut.
Also, There are many programs that you can find to donate to that help children around the world with basic necessities such as food or water. There are even organizations that you can send money to sponsor children in different countries around the world. My grandmother used a private organization decades ago, and sponsored a Native American boy in the United States. Her donations were beyond appreciated, and the money that she contributed help to feed him, send him to school, etc. He grew up realizing the importance of giving, went to college, and lived a comfortable life. He always kept in touch with my grandmother and constantly thanked her for the opportunities that her donations had afforded him. Maybe if we all give just a little bit more, whether through time, donations, etc., we could see many who are struggling have a little bit more weight off their backs.
I think that poverty is, at least through the media in the U.S., is highlighted on an international level, and forced to minimize the issues that we have domestically. When there are natural disasters across the globe, we instantly come together and run to help countries that were plagued with poverty long before the devastation of mother nature. While it would be next to impossible for many countries to recover from such disasters without foreign aid, when will we stop to think what we can do to impact our homeland's issues? We donate to foreign relief funds but how many of us donate regularly to domestic programs such as Goodwill, Salvation Army, even our local soup kitchens? I do make an effort to contribute when I can and as much as I can, and am always donating things to charities. While it may not be money, the books that I donate help children learn, and offer them an opportunity to enjoy them that they might not have without donations. The clothes that I donate might not be money, but I know that another woman and her children can have clothes on their back without having to worry how they will afford them as the seasons change, or as their children grow up.
As we get further into our readings it is easy to begin to understand who and why some people struggle to keep their families above the poverty line, and understand why so many have fallen below. We learned this week that family structure can be associated with higher poverty rates which makes sense, such as larger families with limited job skills for the working parents, families who have to take care of extended family members (disabilities, grandparents,etc.) can also easily cause tension for a family's income. Single parent households will always face a greater disadvantage as it is one income that has to absorb an entire families needs financially. The conclusion of the impact of racial discrimination and poverty (deviant cultural response) in combination with Oscar Lewis' theory that the poor contributed to their own impoverishment makes me fear the inevitable- a perpetuating cycle that will be hard to break. Unfortunately we do not live in a discrimination free world, and the argument that the attitudes, values, and personality traits of a people, prove that it will take much more than just higher paying jobs/job availability to break this cycle.
3/4) What do you think is being done about poverty (e.g., specific policies and programs in the United States and globally) and how well do you think poverty is being addressed? What do you personally think should be done about poverty in United States and globally
In the US there are many programs in place that offer some assistance to people who are below certain income levels: food stamps, section 8 housing, unemployment, etc. I know from first hand however that some of the income restrictions on these programs are beyond asinine. So many people need help that are above these maximum requirements. I understand that of course, these wells will eventually run dry and not everyone can be helped. But maybe our government could figure our a way to offer assistance to people above these program's cut off lines for temporary periods. I know that there are many people who do not rely on aid indefinitely and they would only need it for a temporary period of time to get out of their rut.
Also, There are many programs that you can find to donate to that help children around the world with basic necessities such as food or water. There are even organizations that you can send money to sponsor children in different countries around the world. My grandmother used a private organization decades ago, and sponsored a Native American boy in the United States. Her donations were beyond appreciated, and the money that she contributed help to feed him, send him to school, etc. He grew up realizing the importance of giving, went to college, and lived a comfortable life. He always kept in touch with my grandmother and constantly thanked her for the opportunities that her donations had afforded him. Maybe if we all give just a little bit more, whether through time, donations, etc., we could see many who are struggling have a little bit more weight off their backs.
I think that poverty is, at least through the media in the U.S., is highlighted on an international level, and forced to minimize the issues that we have domestically. When there are natural disasters across the globe, we instantly come together and run to help countries that were plagued with poverty long before the devastation of mother nature. While it would be next to impossible for many countries to recover from such disasters without foreign aid, when will we stop to think what we can do to impact our homeland's issues? We donate to foreign relief funds but how many of us donate regularly to domestic programs such as Goodwill, Salvation Army, even our local soup kitchens? I do make an effort to contribute when I can and as much as I can, and am always donating things to charities. While it may not be money, the books that I donate help children learn, and offer them an opportunity to enjoy them that they might not have without donations. The clothes that I donate might not be money, but I know that another woman and her children can have clothes on their back without having to worry how they will afford them as the seasons change, or as their children grow up.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Session 4
Studying poverty on a broader and more globally scale, definitely showed some key ideas and facts that were, to say the least, very upsetting.
As I have discussed in my previous posts, I think that the lack of education is a direct link to who is poor in the United States. Of course not in every scenario, as there are plenty of educated people that are poor and plenty of people who did not continue their education who are NOT poor. What was interesting with the information this week was the correlation between the sex of those that were poor- women. And by poor, we aren't just talking about not being able to afford health care (a common problem in the United States.) This can include a life that is surrounded by unsanitary conditions, no place for a restroom, no clean drinking water...etc.
While countries such as Africa, Asia and Latin America have yet to experience an abundance of progress in living conditions, it is easy to understand how these living conditions can be associated with the stagnant number of mother and child deaths. In less developed countries, women and children are also the last to eat, often going hungry regularly. I think it is very important to recognize the relation to the article from our reading, Rich World Poor Women. The article reported that the largest contributor to decline among malnutrition in children was the advancement of education of women in 63 different countries. After touching on the relations last week for domestic poverty and its ties to education, now having international facts that support this theory has made it more than evident that there is indeed a strong correlation between the two, and it is a world wide issue.
I have also always struggled with the idea that globalization is a bad thing all together. I think that we all benefit from globalization, the instant access that we have to so many products, media, and knowledge. Especially in the United States, we are very free to research, learn, and are encouraged to do so! As they say, knowledge is power, and as our world continues to get smaller via globalization, we will all ultimately become a more powerful race. I can see the arguments that would suggest that globalization brings jobs overseas, also known as outsourcing. While this is maybe something that can negatively affect our economy here, understand that it is greatly aiding another country. Not to say that that is right or wrong, but I think globalization can very easily be labeled as a positive or negative thing, depending on which side of the argument you are on naturally.
The United Nations (Secretary General more specifically,) created the UN Millennium where any people came together to develop and present this projects goals: including eradicating hunger and poverty, promoting gender equality, and achieve universal primary education to name a few. As you may see, these goals can easily be linked to, maybe not a solution, but a step towards reducing the poverty levels across the globe due to issues earlier discussed.
While I appreciate the ideas of the UN Millennium, we must understand that we cannot reach out to every one across the globe. While the struggle continues for women around the world, so will the poverty levels.
As I have discussed in my previous posts, I think that the lack of education is a direct link to who is poor in the United States. Of course not in every scenario, as there are plenty of educated people that are poor and plenty of people who did not continue their education who are NOT poor. What was interesting with the information this week was the correlation between the sex of those that were poor- women. And by poor, we aren't just talking about not being able to afford health care (a common problem in the United States.) This can include a life that is surrounded by unsanitary conditions, no place for a restroom, no clean drinking water...etc.
While countries such as Africa, Asia and Latin America have yet to experience an abundance of progress in living conditions, it is easy to understand how these living conditions can be associated with the stagnant number of mother and child deaths. In less developed countries, women and children are also the last to eat, often going hungry regularly. I think it is very important to recognize the relation to the article from our reading, Rich World Poor Women. The article reported that the largest contributor to decline among malnutrition in children was the advancement of education of women in 63 different countries. After touching on the relations last week for domestic poverty and its ties to education, now having international facts that support this theory has made it more than evident that there is indeed a strong correlation between the two, and it is a world wide issue.
I have also always struggled with the idea that globalization is a bad thing all together. I think that we all benefit from globalization, the instant access that we have to so many products, media, and knowledge. Especially in the United States, we are very free to research, learn, and are encouraged to do so! As they say, knowledge is power, and as our world continues to get smaller via globalization, we will all ultimately become a more powerful race. I can see the arguments that would suggest that globalization brings jobs overseas, also known as outsourcing. While this is maybe something that can negatively affect our economy here, understand that it is greatly aiding another country. Not to say that that is right or wrong, but I think globalization can very easily be labeled as a positive or negative thing, depending on which side of the argument you are on naturally.
The United Nations (Secretary General more specifically,) created the UN Millennium where any people came together to develop and present this projects goals: including eradicating hunger and poverty, promoting gender equality, and achieve universal primary education to name a few. As you may see, these goals can easily be linked to, maybe not a solution, but a step towards reducing the poverty levels across the globe due to issues earlier discussed.
While I appreciate the ideas of the UN Millennium, we must understand that we cannot reach out to every one across the globe. While the struggle continues for women around the world, so will the poverty levels.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Session 3
This weeks chapter offered new insight into the theories of poverty. I appreciated the correlation between education and poverty levels. While we learned that Mississippi is one of the states hit hardest with poverty, it is no surprise that their school systems are some of the lowest nationwide. When children are not offered well balanced and intellectually stimulating education, the involvement of the students can decline, grades can drop, and many can fail out or just quit on their own accord. The drive to further an education is already a struggle, and even more so when people are not subjected to a more powerful and substantial educational foundation. A higher education is proven to offer more job opportunities, more money, more benefits, all things that so many people if deprived of, face the risks of not being able to keep their heads above water (as my mother would say,) or never see a break to move up the social ladder. I think that it would be important for more student funding, and to focus more on what the state (and other states struggling) can do to provide and implement programs and curriculum that will encourage and prepare students to advance beyond high school.
The video we watched this week kept saying one thing to me over and over again. We may often hear it takes a village to raise a child, and I really think that this is what George Galster touched upon in this brief piece, made alot of sense. If you take lower income and communities with higher poverty levels, you will see that the difference in education, academic achievements can easily tie in with how these communities will continue at the level that they are at. I've lived in many different neighborhoods in Atlanta...it was very interesting to see the difference among the students in the various areas. When I lived in Buckhead and Grant Park, I saw children being walked to school by their parents, but when I lived in the West End (a lower income neighborhood,) most parents were not seen. Could this be tied to the fact that in the lower income areas parents are working more hours and lower income jobs? Absolutely. But the lack of parental involvement in the lower income areas also made it easier for children to not go to school and wander the streets and people didn't really notice, nor did it seem out of place for large group of children to not be in school when they should be. When an area has this type of problem, the generations just seem to perpetuate the cycle. A close friend of mine works in a youth center located in a government housing complex and she runs a center that caters to children after school hours, offering tutoring, counseling, and some technology unavailable to them at home. Again, while many of the children that come to her center have parents working long hours, receiving minimum wage, a center like this, state funded, gives many children the ability to see additional help and support if needed.
Ive said it in my previous post, and I have a feeling that it will be something that I touch on every time I post...There will always be a neighborhood, a school district, even a state that is struggling more than others. It will always be an issue for those in these school districts and areas of our country that, unfortunately, they have the odds stacked against them. They might not have support at home, or from their community, and it will continue to help these poverty levels remain stagnant as those with a lack of education unfortunately are more vulnerable to be living below the poverty line.
The video we watched this week kept saying one thing to me over and over again. We may often hear it takes a village to raise a child, and I really think that this is what George Galster touched upon in this brief piece, made alot of sense. If you take lower income and communities with higher poverty levels, you will see that the difference in education, academic achievements can easily tie in with how these communities will continue at the level that they are at. I've lived in many different neighborhoods in Atlanta...it was very interesting to see the difference among the students in the various areas. When I lived in Buckhead and Grant Park, I saw children being walked to school by their parents, but when I lived in the West End (a lower income neighborhood,) most parents were not seen. Could this be tied to the fact that in the lower income areas parents are working more hours and lower income jobs? Absolutely. But the lack of parental involvement in the lower income areas also made it easier for children to not go to school and wander the streets and people didn't really notice, nor did it seem out of place for large group of children to not be in school when they should be. When an area has this type of problem, the generations just seem to perpetuate the cycle. A close friend of mine works in a youth center located in a government housing complex and she runs a center that caters to children after school hours, offering tutoring, counseling, and some technology unavailable to them at home. Again, while many of the children that come to her center have parents working long hours, receiving minimum wage, a center like this, state funded, gives many children the ability to see additional help and support if needed.
Ive said it in my previous post, and I have a feeling that it will be something that I touch on every time I post...There will always be a neighborhood, a school district, even a state that is struggling more than others. It will always be an issue for those in these school districts and areas of our country that, unfortunately, they have the odds stacked against them. They might not have support at home, or from their community, and it will continue to help these poverty levels remain stagnant as those with a lack of education unfortunately are more vulnerable to be living below the poverty line.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Initial Post
I was more than curious as to what this class would involve for a couple of reasons.First, I was raised by a single mother and at times it was difficult financially and we saw many different pay scales as we grew up. I am also very fortunate that I have had the opportunity to have very close friends that originate from over the world- Asian, West Indian, African...the list goes on....-that have told me real life scenarios and stories from their lives in foreign countries.
(Question 1)When the question asked who did I think was poor domestically and internationally, I have to admit, it kind of scared me, and I have to approach that question delicately, nonetheless to read other peoples responses I have to take into consideration that all of us are raised differently and come from different situations. I think that it is very easy to judge someone from the outside in this country of whether they are poor or not. Someone may have on tattered or dirty clothes, have a dilapidated home, or drive a car that you can hear from a mile away smoking from every crevice. My biggest criteria of who is poor is first and foremost do they have money to eat and to have shelter. When you are below the poverty line or close to it, many things can depend on each other like dominoes...if one falls they all fall. If you are robbing Peter (the water company) to pay Paul (the rent) then at some point you will end up with no running water or no place to live....I think that those same conditions apply globally as well. Do they have a place to sleep, do they have food?
(2 & 3)I think that there are many reasons why people are poor all over the world.Different governments offer different programs (or no programs at all.) It is always interesting to me to hear the different backgrounds of some of my friends. One of my friends shared a 2 bedroom apartment with 11 people, another learned his ABCs in the dirt, and another was a child of two US diplomats and traveled the world living comfortably. Regardless of what country anyone comes from, we all have basic needs that we depend on for physical survival. If we go without food or water, we will die. If you live in Africa and aren't properly sheltered at night, you can be subjected to mosquitoes and malaria. I think that the United States continually strives to offer programs to help keep people from suffering the greatest impacts of poverty: lack of medical care, homelessness, starvation, etc. With that being said, there are many people who abuse the system (whether its selling their food stamps for money, or not getting a primary physician and using the ER for simple, common conditions,) and of course many people fall through the cracks. I think a MAJOR fault of our system is that it neglects to help minimize the crash from middle class to poverty level. So many middle class families struggle to pay everything, and are living check to check. That means within a week's time, if someone misses work, they could easily find themselves homeless, without food, etc. In other parts of the world, I think countries still very much ignore the struggle of those who are without. I was amazed at the level/conditions of the homeless I saw when I traveled to the Caribbean.They had no one. No place. No programs to help them become employed, no soup kitchens, no shelters. Literally building shacks out of feces and grass. Yet when I am in Atlanta/US, I see homeless people making hundreds of dollars a day collecting money off of an exit ramp. (I recall one time ordering a homeless man food and giving him an entire meal...two minutes later he sells it to someone else!)
(4)I think that solving the poverty problem will never end. Someone always has to earn more, someone always will live in a lower income neighborhood. I think that it is important to go into all communities, especially those whose poverty levels are higher, and educate the community on what can be people can done within their power to avoid becoming that statistic. Teach people how to budget, teach the statistics of gaining an education leads to more income, etc. As far as globally, I think that when a country like this is in a good place, we are more than able to help other people through money, support, education. The U.S. just needs to find that place first.
(Question 1)When the question asked who did I think was poor domestically and internationally, I have to admit, it kind of scared me, and I have to approach that question delicately, nonetheless to read other peoples responses I have to take into consideration that all of us are raised differently and come from different situations. I think that it is very easy to judge someone from the outside in this country of whether they are poor or not. Someone may have on tattered or dirty clothes, have a dilapidated home, or drive a car that you can hear from a mile away smoking from every crevice. My biggest criteria of who is poor is first and foremost do they have money to eat and to have shelter. When you are below the poverty line or close to it, many things can depend on each other like dominoes...if one falls they all fall. If you are robbing Peter (the water company) to pay Paul (the rent) then at some point you will end up with no running water or no place to live....I think that those same conditions apply globally as well. Do they have a place to sleep, do they have food?
(2 & 3)I think that there are many reasons why people are poor all over the world.Different governments offer different programs (or no programs at all.) It is always interesting to me to hear the different backgrounds of some of my friends. One of my friends shared a 2 bedroom apartment with 11 people, another learned his ABCs in the dirt, and another was a child of two US diplomats and traveled the world living comfortably. Regardless of what country anyone comes from, we all have basic needs that we depend on for physical survival. If we go without food or water, we will die. If you live in Africa and aren't properly sheltered at night, you can be subjected to mosquitoes and malaria. I think that the United States continually strives to offer programs to help keep people from suffering the greatest impacts of poverty: lack of medical care, homelessness, starvation, etc. With that being said, there are many people who abuse the system (whether its selling their food stamps for money, or not getting a primary physician and using the ER for simple, common conditions,) and of course many people fall through the cracks. I think a MAJOR fault of our system is that it neglects to help minimize the crash from middle class to poverty level. So many middle class families struggle to pay everything, and are living check to check. That means within a week's time, if someone misses work, they could easily find themselves homeless, without food, etc. In other parts of the world, I think countries still very much ignore the struggle of those who are without. I was amazed at the level/conditions of the homeless I saw when I traveled to the Caribbean.They had no one. No place. No programs to help them become employed, no soup kitchens, no shelters. Literally building shacks out of feces and grass. Yet when I am in Atlanta/US, I see homeless people making hundreds of dollars a day collecting money off of an exit ramp. (I recall one time ordering a homeless man food and giving him an entire meal...two minutes later he sells it to someone else!)
(4)I think that solving the poverty problem will never end. Someone always has to earn more, someone always will live in a lower income neighborhood. I think that it is important to go into all communities, especially those whose poverty levels are higher, and educate the community on what can be people can done within their power to avoid becoming that statistic. Teach people how to budget, teach the statistics of gaining an education leads to more income, etc. As far as globally, I think that when a country like this is in a good place, we are more than able to help other people through money, support, education. The U.S. just needs to find that place first.
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