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Causes of poverty

The “blame the poor” perspective is stereotypic and not applicable to all of the underclass. Not only are most poor people able and willing to work hard, they do so when given the chance. The real trouble has to do with such problems as minimum wages and lack of access to the education necessary for obtaining a better‐paying job.

More recently, sociologists have focused on other theories of poverty. One theory of poverty has to do with the flight of the middle class, including employers, from the cities and into the suburbs. This has limited the opportunities for the inner‐city poor to find adequate jobs. According to another theory, the poor would rather receive welfare payments than work in demeaning positions as maids or in fast‐food restaurants. As a result of this view, the welfare system has come under increasing attack in recent years.

Again, no simple explanations for or solutions to the problem of poverty exist. Although varying theories abound, sociologists will continue to pay attention to this issue in the years to come.

The effects of poverty

  • Many infants born into poverty have a low birth weight, which is associated with many preventable mental and physical disabilities. Not only are these poor infants more likely to be irritable or sickly, they are also more likely to die before their first birthday.
  • Children raised in poverty tend to miss school more often because of illness. These children also have a much higher rate of accidents than do other children, and they are twice as likely to have impaired vision and hearing, iron deficiency anemia, and higher than normal levels of lead in the blood, which can impair brain function.

Levels of stress in the family have also been shown to correlate with economic circumstances. Studies during economic recessions indicate that job loss and subsequent poverty are associated with violence in families, including child and elder abuse. Poor families experience much more stress than middle‐class families. Besides financial uncertainty, these families are more likely to be exposed to series of negative events and “bad luck,” including illness, depression, eviction, job loss, criminal victimization, and family death. Parents who experience hard economic times may become excessively punitive and erratic, issuing demands backed by insults, threats, and corporal punishment.

Homelessness , or extreme poverty, carries with it a particularly strong set of risks for families, especially children. Compared to children living in poverty but having homes, homeless children are less likely to receive proper nutrition and immunization. Hence, they experience more health problems. Homeless women experience higher rates of low‐birth‐weight babies, miscarriages, and infant mortality, probably due to not having access to adequate prenatal care for their babies. Homeless families experience even greater life stress than other families, including increased disruption in work, school, family relationships, and friendships.

Sociologists have been particularly concerned about the effects of poverty on the “black underclass,” the increasing numbers of jobless, welfare‐dependent African Americans trapped in inner‐city ghettos. Many of the industries (textiles, auto, steel) that previously offered employment to the black working class have shut down, while newer industries have relocated to the suburbs. Because most urban jobs either require advanced education or pay minimum wage, unemployment rates for inner‐city blacks are high.

Even though Hispanic Americans are almost as likely as African Americans to live in poverty, fewer inner‐city Hispanic neighborhoods have undergone the same massive changes as many black neighborhoods have. Middle and working class Hispanic families have not left their barrio, or urban Spanish‐speaking neighborhood, in large numbers, so most Hispanic cultural and social institutions there remain intact. In addition, local Hispanic‐owned businesses and low‐skill industries support the barrio with wage‐based, not welfare‐based, businesses.

Climbing out of poverty is difficult for anyone, perhaps because, at its worst, poverty can become a self‐perpetuating cycle. Children of poverty are at an extreme disadvantage in the job market; in turn, the lack of good jobs ensures continued poverty. The cycle ends up repeating itself until the pattern is somehow broken.

Feminist perspective on poverty

This feminization of poverty may be related to numerous changes in contemporary America. Increases in unwanted births, separations, and divorces have forced growing numbers of women to head poor households. Meanwhile, increases in divorced fathers avoiding child support coupled with reductions in welfare support have forced many of these women‐headed households to join the ranks of the underclass. Further, because wives generally live longer than their husbands, growing numbers of elderly women must live in poverty.

Feminists also attribute the feminization of poverty to women's vulnerability brought about by the patriarchal, sexist, and gender‐biased nature of Western society, which does not value protecting women's rights and wealth.

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Poverty Essay for Students and Children

500+ words essay on poverty essay.

“Poverty is the worst form of violence”. – Mahatma Gandhi.

poverty essay

How Poverty is Measured?

For measuring poverty United nations have devised two measures of poverty – Absolute & relative poverty.  Absolute poverty is used to measure poverty in developing countries like India. Relative poverty is used to measure poverty in developed countries like the USA. In absolute poverty, a line based on the minimum level of income has been created & is called a poverty line.  If per day income of a family is below this level, then it is poor or below the poverty line. If per day income of a family is above this level, then it is non-poor or above the poverty line. In India, the new poverty line is  Rs 32 in rural areas and Rs 47 in urban areas.

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Causes of Poverty

According to the Noble prize winner South African leader, Nelson Mandela – “Poverty is not natural, it is manmade”. The above statement is true as the causes of poverty are generally man-made. There are various causes of poverty but the most important is population. Rising population is putting the burden on the resources & budget of countries. Governments are finding difficult to provide food, shelter & employment to the rising population.

The other causes are- lack of education, war, natural disaster, lack of employment, lack of infrastructure, political instability, etc. For instance- lack of employment opportunities makes a person jobless & he is not able to earn enough to fulfill the basic necessities of his family & becomes poor. Lack of education compels a person for less paying jobs & it makes him poorer. Lack of infrastructure means there are no industries, banks, etc. in a country resulting in lack of employment opportunities. Natural disasters like flood, earthquake also contribute to poverty.

In some countries, especially African countries like Somalia, a long period of civil war has made poverty widespread. This is because all the resources & money is being spent in war instead of public welfare. Countries like India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, etc. are prone to natural disasters like cyclone, etc. These disasters occur every year causing poverty to rise.

Ill Effects of Poverty

Poverty affects the life of a poor family. A poor person is not able to take proper food & nutrition &his capacity to work reduces. Reduced capacity to work further reduces his income, making him poorer. Children from poor family never get proper schooling & proper nutrition. They have to work to support their family & this destroys their childhood. Some of them may also involve in crimes like theft, murder, robbery, etc. A poor person remains uneducated & is forced to live under unhygienic conditions in slums. There are no proper sanitation & drinking water facility in slums & he falls ill often &  his health deteriorates. A poor person generally dies an early death. So, all social evils are related to poverty.

Government Schemes to Remove Poverty

The government of India also took several measures to eradicate poverty from India. Some of them are – creating employment opportunities , controlling population, etc. In India, about 60% of the population is still dependent on agriculture for its livelihood. Government has taken certain measures to promote agriculture in India. The government constructed certain dams & canals in our country to provide easy availability of water for irrigation. Government has also taken steps for the cheap availability of seeds & farming equipment to promote agriculture. Government is also promoting farming of cash crops like cotton, instead of food crops. In cities, the government is promoting industrialization to create more jobs. Government has also opened  ‘Ration shops’. Other measures include providing free & compulsory education for children up to 14 years of age, scholarship to deserving students from a poor background, providing subsidized houses to poor people, etc.

Poverty is a social evil, we can also contribute to control it. For example- we can simply donate old clothes to poor people, we can also sponsor the education of a poor child or we can utilize our free time by teaching poor students. Remember before wasting food, somebody is still sleeping hungry.

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Indian History, Festivals, Essays, Paragraphs, Speeches.

Poverty: Essay on Causes, Effects and Solutions of Poverty

Category: Essays and Paragraphs On November 22, 2018 By Mary

Introduction

Poverty is basically the state of being poor. It is a concept subject to perspective. Poverty refers to the state where the number of poor people is by far more than that of the people who can actually afford a decent lifestyle. In this case therefore, most of the residents of that particular setting are normally struggling to make a living and even secure a meal and for this reason, the living standards and conditions in a poverty ridden place are not desirable.

Poverty is caused by factors such as changing trends in the economy, lack of education in a country, high rates of separation, overpopulation, culture, disease and environmental issues like absence of rain and calamities. These factors therefore make it impossible for a person to afford an ordinary living pattern.

Causes of poverty

  • Poverty is caused by corruption where a few individuals in power are so greedy that they steal public finances and therefore deny the public finances meant to make their living standards better.
  • Misappropriation of funds is another cause where finances are misused or used in the wrong way and therefore leaving the important projects at bay.
  • Foreign dominance of the economy is also a cause where the foreigners take over and therefore are the only ones who amass wealth for themselves, leaving the local people in worse conditions than they found them.
  • Debt is another cause as it denies growth in the sense that finances earned are channeled towards repaying the debt.

Effects of Poverty

  • Poverty makes it impossible for people to seek medical assistance or to even access to any form of medication hence poor health .
  • Poverty also causes lack of education . This is because education can sometimes be very demanding financially in terms of school fees, reading and writing materials and also school uniforms.
  • Poverty causes stress . Poor individuals report much more stress cases than middle-class families.
  • Poverty is the main cause of elevated levels of dependence. Poor people tend to depend on their family members or the government to get financial aid.
  • Poverty also leads to hunger and malnutrition . This is due to the inability to afford good food or no food at all. This may contribute to slow development in children.
  • Poverty also contributes to increased levels of corruption . Poor people in desperate need for jobs also result to bribing to get jobs.
  • Poverty can also affect a country in terms of low GDP. This is because poor people have no means of becoming productive. They instead depend on others for their needs which reduces the country’s productivity.
  • Poverty is the main cause for the rise of street children and street families. Since one cannot afford good housing without money, they result to staying in the streets and beg for food and money.
  • Poverty has led to the development of slum housing in urban areas. These are cheap houses that people with little or no income love in. This type of housing is bad due to high chances of spread of diseases.

Solutions to poverty

  • Fighting corruption is the principle way to fight corruption with the aim of eliminating the very ideals that cause poverty.
  • Proper utilization of funds can also help fight poverty and provide and actual solution as it makes good for proper planning.
  • Avoiding debt is a life principle that can reduce chances of poverty because the finances earned thereafter can be geared towards personal development for an individual or their country.
  • Reducing foreign dominance on the economy is also another way as it helps ensure that the local people profit from what is rightfully their own.

Poverty is the major cause of lack of development in any country. It is therefore the obligation of every government to try and improve the living standards and conditions of its people by providing employment opportunities and other means by which people can earn money and provide for their families.

Hence, poverty is a situation in life that has to be fought by all means necessary not only by the government but by individuals as well.

By Mary (edited)

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2.4 The Consequences of Poverty

Learning objectives.

  • Describe the family and housing problems associated with poverty.
  • Explain how poverty affects health and educational attainment.

Regardless of its causes, poverty has devastating consequences for the people who live in it. Much research conducted and/or analyzed by scholars, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations has documented the effects of poverty (and near poverty) on the lives of the poor (Lindsey, 2009; Moore, et. al., 2009; Ratcliffe & McKernan, 2010; Sanders, 2011). Many of these studies focus on childhood poverty, and these studies make it very clear that childhood poverty has lifelong consequences. In general, poor children are more likely to be poor as adults, more likely to drop out of high school, more likely to become a teenaged parent, and more likely to have employment problems. Although only 1 percent of children who are never poor end up being poor as young adults, 32 percent of poor children become poor as young adults (Ratcliffe & McKernan, 2010).

Poverty:

Poor children are more likely to have inadequate nutrition and to experience health, behavioral, and cognitive problems.

Kelly Short – Poverty: “Damaged Child,” Oklahoma City, OK, USA, 1936. (Colorized). – CC BY-SA 2.0.

A recent study used government data to follow children born between 1968 and 1975 until they were ages 30 to 37 (Duncan & Magnuson, 2011). The researchers compared individuals who lived in poverty in early childhood to those whose families had incomes at least twice the poverty line in early childhood. Compared to the latter group, adults who were poor in early childhood

  • had completed two fewer years of schooling on the average;
  • had incomes that were less than half of those earned by adults who had wealthier childhoods;
  • received $826 more annually in food stamps on the average;
  • were almost three times more likely to report being in poor health;
  • were twice as likely to have been arrested (males only); and
  • were five times as likely to have borne a child (females only).

We discuss some of the major specific consequences of poverty here and will return to them in later chapters.

Family Problems

The poor are at greater risk for family problems, including divorce and domestic violence. As Chapter 9 “Sexual Behavior” explains, a major reason for many of the problems families experience is stress. Even in families that are not poor, running a household can cause stress, children can cause stress, and paying the bills can cause stress. Families that are poor have more stress because of their poverty, and the ordinary stresses of family life become even more intense in poor families. The various kinds of family problems thus happen more commonly in poor families than in wealthier families. Compounding this situation, when these problems occur, poor families have fewer resources than wealthier families to deal with these problems.

Children and Our Future

Getting under Children’s Skin: The Biological Effects of Childhood Poverty

As the text discusses, childhood poverty often has lifelong consequences. Poor children are more likely to be poor when they become adults, and they are at greater risk for antisocial behavior when young, and for unemployment, criminal behavior, and other problems when they reach adolescence and young adulthood.

According to growing evidence, one reason poverty has these consequences is that it has certain neural effects on poor children that impair their cognitive abilities and thus their behavior and learning potential. As Greg J. Duncan and Katherine Magnuson (Duncan & Magnuson, 2011, p. 23) observe, “Emerging research in neuroscience and developmental psychology suggests that poverty early in a child’s life may be particularly harmful because the astonishingly rapid development of young children’s brains leaves them sensitive (and vulnerable) to environmental conditions.”

In short, poverty can change the way the brain develops in young children. The major reason for this effect is stress. Children growing up in poverty experience multiple stressful events: neighborhood crime and drug use; divorce, parental conflict, and other family problems, including abuse and neglect by their parents; parental financial problems and unemployment; physical and mental health problems of one or more family members; and so forth. Their great levels of stress in turn affect their bodies in certain harmful ways. As two poverty scholars note, “It’s not just that poverty-induced stress is mentally taxing. If it’s experienced early enough in childhood, it can in fact get ‘under the skin’ and change the way in which the body copes with the environment and the way in which the brain develops. These deep, enduring, and sometimes irreversible physiological changes are the very human price of running a high-poverty society” (Grusky & Wimer, 2011, p. 2).

One way poverty gets “under children’s skin” is as follows (Evans, et. al., 2011). Poor children’s high levels of stress produce unusually high levels of stress hormones such as cortisol and higher levels of blood pressure. Because these high levels impair their neural development, their memory and language development skills suffer. This result in turn affects their behavior and learning potential. For other physiological reasons, high levels of stress also affect the immune system, so that poor children are more likely to develop various illnesses during childhood and to have high blood pressure and other health problems when they grow older, and cause other biological changes that make poor children more likely to end up being obese and to have drug and alcohol problems.

The policy implications of the scientific research on childhood poverty are clear. As public health scholar Jack P. Shonkoff (Shonkoff, 2011) explains, “Viewing this scientific evidence within a biodevelopmental framework points to the particular importance of addressing the needs of our most disadvantaged children at the earliest ages.” Duncan and Magnuson (Duncan & Magnuson, 2011) agree that “greater policy attention should be given to remediating situations involving deep and persistent poverty occurring early in childhood.” To reduce poverty’s harmful physiological effects on children, Skonkoff advocates efforts to promote strong, stable relationships among all members of poor families; to improve the quality of the home and neighborhood physical environments in which poor children grow; and to improve the nutrition of poor children. Duncan and Magnuson call for more generous income transfers to poor families with young children and note that many European democracies provide many kinds of support to such families. The recent scientific evidence on early childhood poverty underscores the importance of doing everything possible to reduce the harmful effects of poverty during the first few years of life.

Health, Illness, and Medical Care

The poor are also more likely to have many kinds of health problems, including infant mortality, earlier adulthood mortality, and mental illness, and they are also more likely to receive inadequate medical care. Poor children are more likely to have inadequate nutrition and, partly for this reason, to suffer health, behavioral, and cognitive problems. These problems in turn impair their ability to do well in school and land stable employment as adults, helping to ensure that poverty will persist across generations. Many poor people are uninsured or underinsured, at least until the US health-care reform legislation of 2010 takes full effect a few years from now, and many have to visit health clinics that are overcrowded and understaffed.

As Chapter 12 “Work and the Economy” discusses, it is unclear how much of poor people’s worse health stems from their lack of money and lack of good health care versus their own behavior such as smoking and eating unhealthy diets. Regardless of the exact reasons, however, the fact remains that poor health is a major consequence of poverty. According to recent research, this fact means that poverty is responsible for almost 150,000 deaths annually, a figure about equal to the number of deaths from lung cancer (Bakalar, 2011).

Poor children typically go to rundown schools with inadequate facilities where they receive inadequate schooling. They are much less likely than wealthier children to graduate from high school or to go to college. Their lack of education in turn restricts them and their own children to poverty, once again helping to ensure a vicious cycle of continuing poverty across generations. As Chapter 10 “The Changing Family” explains, scholars debate whether the poor school performance of poor children stems more from the inadequacy of their schools and schooling versus their own poverty. Regardless of exactly why poor children are more likely to do poorly in school and to have low educational attainment, these educational problems are another major consequence of poverty.

Housing and Homelessness

The poor are, not surprisingly, more likely to be homeless than the nonpoor but also more likely to live in dilapidated housing and unable to buy their own homes. Many poor families spend more than half their income on rent, and they tend to live in poor neighborhoods that lack job opportunities, good schools, and other features of modern life that wealthier people take for granted. The lack of adequate housing for the poor remains a major national problem. Even worse is outright homelessness. An estimated 1.6 million people, including more than 300,000 children, are homeless at least part of the year (Lee, et. al., 2010).

Crime and Victimization

As Chapter 7 “Alcohol and Other Drugs” discusses, poor (and near poor) people account for the bulk of our street crime (homicide, robbery, burglary, etc.), and they also account for the bulk of victims of street crime. That chapter will outline several reasons for this dual connection between poverty and street crime, but they include the deep frustration and stress of living in poverty and the fact that many poor people live in high-crime neighborhoods. In such neighborhoods, children are more likely to grow up under the influence of older peers who are already in gangs or otherwise committing crime, and people of any age are more likely to become crime victims. Moreover, because poor and near-poor people are more likely to commit street crime, they also comprise most of the people arrested for street crimes, convicted of street crime, and imprisoned for street crime. Most of the more than 2 million people now in the nation’s prisons and jails come from poor or near-poor backgrounds. Criminal behavior and criminal victimization, then, are other major consequences of poverty.

Lessons from Other Societies

Poverty and Poverty Policy in Other Western Democracies

To compare international poverty rates, scholars commonly use a measure of the percentage of households in a nation that receive less than half of the nation’s median household income after taxes and cash transfers from the government. In data from the late 2000s, 17.3 percent of US households lived in poverty as defined by this measure. By comparison, other Western democracies had the rates depicted in the figure that follows. The average poverty rate of the nations in the figure excluding the United States is 9.5 percent. The US rate is thus almost twice as high as the average for all the other democracies.

A graph of the Percentage of People Living in Poverty, from lowest to highest, it is: Denmark, Iceland, Netherlands, France, Norway, Finland, Sweden, Switzerland, Germany, Belgium, The average (excluding the US), Ireland, United Kingdom, Canada, Italy, Greece, Portugal, Spain, and at the highest spot, the United States.

This graph illustrates the poverty rates in western democracies (i.e., the percentage of persons living with less than half of the median household income) as of the late 2000s

Source: Data from Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). (2011). Society at a glance 2011: OECD social indicators. Retrieved July 23, 2011, from http://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/sites/soc_glance-2011-en/06/02/index.html;jsessionid=erdqhbpb203ea.epsilon?contentType=&itemId=/content/chapter/soc_glance-2011-17-en&containerItemId=/content/se .

Why is there so much more poverty in the United States than in its Western counterparts? Several differences between the United States and the other nations stand out (Brady, 2009; Russell, 2011). First, other Western nations have higher minimum wages and stronger labor unions than the United States has, and these lead to incomes that help push people above poverty. Second, these other nations spend a much greater proportion of their gross domestic product on social expenditures (income support and social services such as child-care subsidies and housing allowances) than does the United States. As sociologist John Iceland (Iceland, 2006) notes, “Such countries often invest heavily in both universal benefits, such as maternity leave, child care, and medical care, and in promoting work among [poor] families…The United States, in comparison with other advanced nations, lacks national health insurance, provides less publicly supported housing, and spends less on job training and job creation.” Block and colleagues agree: “These other countries all take a more comprehensive government approach to combating poverty, and they assume that it is caused by economic and structural factors rather than bad behavior” (Block et, al., 2006).

The experience of the United Kingdom provides a striking contrast between the effectiveness of the expansive approach used in other wealthy democracies and the inadequacy of the American approach. In 1994, about 30 percent of British children lived in poverty; by 2009, that figure had fallen by more than half to 12 percent. Meanwhile, the US 2009 child poverty rate, was almost 21 percent.

Britain used three strategies to reduce its child poverty rate and to help poor children and their families in other ways. First, it induced more poor parents to work through a series of new measures, including a national minimum wage higher than its US counterpart and various tax savings for low-income workers. Because of these measures, the percentage of single parents who worked rose from 45 percent in 1997 to 57 percent in 2008. Second, Britain increased child welfare benefits regardless of whether a parent worked. Third, it increased paid maternity leave from four months to nine months, implemented two weeks of paid paternity leave, established universal preschool (which both helps children’s cognitive abilities and makes it easier for parents to afford to work), increased child-care aid, and made it possible for parents of young children to adjust their working hours to their parental responsibilities (Waldfogel, 2010). While the British child poverty rate fell dramatically because of these strategies, the US child poverty rate stagnated.

In short, the United States has so much more poverty than other democracies in part because it spends so much less than they do on helping the poor. The United States certainly has the wealth to follow their example, but it has chosen not to do so, and a high poverty rate is the unfortunate result. As the Nobel laureate economist Paul Krugman (2006, p. A25) summarizes this lesson, “Government truly can be a force for good. Decades of propaganda have conditioned many Americans to assume that government is always incompetent…But the [British experience has] shown that a government that seriously tries to reduce poverty can achieve a lot.”

Key Takeaways

  • Poor people are more likely to have several kinds of family problems, including divorce and family conflict.
  • Poor people are more likely to have several kinds of health problems.
  • Children growing up in poverty are less likely to graduate high school or go to college, and they are more likely to commit street crime.

For Your Review

  • Write a brief essay that summarizes the consequences of poverty.
  • Why do you think poor children are more likely to develop health problems?

Bakalar, N. (2011, July 4). Researchers link deaths to social ills. New York Times , p. D5.

Block, F., Korteweg, A. C., & Woodward, K. (2006). The compassion gap in American poverty policy. Contexts, 5 (2), 14–20.

Brady, D. (2009). Rich democracies, poor people: How politics explain poverty . New York, NY: Oxford University Press.

Duncan, G. J., & Magnuson, K. (2011, winter). The long reach of early childhood poverty. Pathways: A Magazine on Poverty, Inequality, and Social Policy , 22–27.

Evans, G. W., Brooks-Gunn, J., & Klebanov, P. K. (2011, winter). Stressing out the poor: Chronic physiological stress and the income-achievement gap. Pathways: A Magazine on Poverty, Inequality, and Social Policy , 16–21.

Grusky, D., & Wimer, C.(Eds.). (2011, winter). Editors’ note. Pathways: A Magazine on Poverty, Inequality, and Social Policy , 2.

Iceland, J. (2006). Poverty in America: A handbook . Berkeley, CA: University of California Press.

Krugman, P. (Krugman, 2006). Helping the poor, the British way. New York Times , p. A25.

Lee, B., Tyler, K. A., & Wright, J. D. ( 2010). The new homelessness revisited. Annual Review of Sociology, 36 , 501–521.

Lindsey, D. (2009). Child poverty and inequality: Securing a better future for America’s children . New York, NY: Oxford University Press.

Moore, K. A., Redd, Z., Burkhauser, M., Mbawa, K., & Collins, A. (2009). Children in poverty: Trends, consequences, and policy options . Washington, DC: Child Trends. Retrieved from http://www.childtrends.org/Files//Child_Trends-2009_04_07_RB_ChildreninPoverty.pdf .

Ratcliffe, C., & McKernan, S.-M. (2010). Childhood poverty persistence: Facts and consequences . Washington, DC: Urban Institute Press.

Russell, J. W. ( 2011). Double standard: Social policy in Europe and the United States (2nd ed.). Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield.

Sanders, L. (2011). Neuroscience exposes pernicious effects of poverty. Science News, 179 (3), 32.

Shonkoff, J. P. (2011, winter). Building a foundation for prosperity on the science of early childhood development. Pathways: A Magazine on Poverty, Inequality, and Social Policy , 10–14.

Waldfogel, J. (2010). Britain’s war on poverty . New York, NY: Russell Sage Foundation.

Social Problems Copyright © 2015 by University of Minnesota is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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Poverty rates are greatly influenced by overpopulation. Overpopulation is a situation of a large number of people residing in a territory that is extremely limited in space and resources. Developing countries often face the problem of overpopulation; except the unequal distribution of resources and the lack of space, they usually have high birth rates, and low agricultural productivity. For example, Bangladesh has the highest population density in the world—2,970 persons per square mile. The dominating majority of them are engaged in low-productivity farming and manual labor, which causes extremely high levels of poverty in this country (Poverty at Large).

Another factor standing behind the increased poverty rates increase is unemployment. This problem has become one of the most urgent after 2008. In 2009 through 2010, about 42% of all families in Great Britain alone had no working members (Children Poverty Action Group). The job markets cannot offer enough jobs that would correspond with the skills of unemployed people. Besides, because of poverty, many people are willing to get any job for any payment; thus, they decrease the overall wages in those spheres that they start working at. In other words, the cheapening of labor and the working force takes place. There is no need to tell that low-wage jobs and part-time jobs are nothing else but poverty traps.

One more reason is significant demographic shifts. For example, in the United States a number of single-member families is traditionally high, and has been increasing; because one parent has less opportunities to ensure an adequate standard of living both for their children and for themselves, single-parent families are traditionally poorer then normal. Besides, poor people often share a belief that it is the social institutions to blame for their poverty, or that they can never make it out of their low income; therefore, they create psychological backgrounds for their financial condition.

Poverty is not a new social phenomenon. It has existed as long as the humankind has been around. But, until 2008, it was more typical for developing countries, whereas after the global economy crisis, even the developed post-industrial countries experienced it. Among the reasons for poverty the most obvious are overpopulation, unemployment, and demographic shifts together with psychological premises. References

Mutikani, Lucia, Caroline Humer, and Susan Heavey. “U.S. Poverty Rises Despite Economic Recovery.” Reuters. Ed. Mohammad Zargham. N.p., 17 Sept. 2013. Web. 25 Sept. 2013.

“Causes of Poverty.” Poverty at Large: A Dark Spot in Humanity. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Sept. 2013.

“What Causes Poverty?” Child Poverty Action Group. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Sept. 2013.

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The Causes and Effects of Poverty Essay Example

Money is something we all want a large quantity of, but must of us will never obtain that. Poverty is something that many people in our country experience at some point. Poverty is not something people choose, many factors are in play on why people are poor. It may be because peoples family live in a poor environment/grew up in, the economy is not great, a parent lost a job or a parent or care giver has passed away. With this comes very poor education system, poor living environment, not many job opportunities and a feeling of no way out the situation. Some people could end up working multiply jobs just to make ends meet. Also since the jobs in the environment do not pay as much, it could lead to people making money in different ways which may not be legal.  As humans though, we will do anything and everything to survive. 

People want the best for themselves but that is not always what happens. Many people end living in poor areas, whether they were born into or just fell onto hard times like losing a job, losing a parent, parents get divorced many reasons why. The effects that that growing up in a poor environment can stunt the grow for younger people. One effect is a poor education system, which sets the youth behind in these situations. They will not be lucky enough to go to a school with a great education system that leads them into success. School also is hard to focus on when people are just trying to get a meal. Some children only get to eat while they are at school because food is scares at home.  

Not having good education can lead to people not going get higher education. Not the fact that they cannot afford it, I mean most people take out student loans. It is the fact that most of peoples family and friends did not go so then the person might not go. What you see around you plays a giant part in a humans growth. If someone says to a person “you are not good enough” you will start to believe it yourself sadly. Then people end up settling for a dead end job that may pay the bills at the moment. The cycle is hard to break but it can be done, and that is what many parents try to do for their children in these communities.

There are many resources in a wealthy community for help, maybe that’s rehab or a activity they can join to keep themselves busy. The world is there oyster, they have money and can turn to their community for help. In an impoverish community there is not many resources to turn to in the community. With little governmental funding there are not many resources for people to seek out to get help or keep themselves busy. A sense of community for people is huge, it gives them a sense of belonging it makes them feel a part of something bigger then themselves. What do you do though when there is none of that where you live? People then tend to turn to the bad parts of the community, that might be mean getting involved with the wrong crowd, falling victim to drugs or putting themselves not in the best situation. These are the effects that can keep people down, keep them struggling. 

Substance abuse is something plays a big role in poor communities. When you feel there is no hope left in life where are you going to turn? People in poor communities can turn to drugs as an outlet to escape the reality they are in feeling that they cannot get out of. They lose faith in the system because the system does not even seem like it wants them. Then once they get addicted to a drug it is very difficult for them to find resources to get the help. People have to search for government funded problems that can take months for them to get into. Which leads them to lose more hope in the system. They end up in a never ending cycle of drugs use with little place to go or to get recovery at and this could lead to their death. 

The goal in life for most people is to get a good job make a decent amount of money and buy a house one day. In poor communities that is a lot easier said than done, when the job barley helps people pay for the apartment they living in how can they afford a house? Also when people cannot afford to pay bills that will affect their credit score. Which buying a house with a bad credit score is nearly impossible which leads them back to where they started. A recurring cycle of a feeling that they have no way out of this. 

Health care is something that most poor people have a tough time getting and if they get it might not be that great. Not having a lot of money can lead to pushing health problems off and waiting to see if goes away. When someone cannot even put food on the table why would they go spend thousands of dollars on treatment? It is very expensive to go see a doctor in this country without insurance most people will not even see you until an insurance card is given. While having all these bills to catch up then get a thousand dollar bill in the mail from a doctor’s visit is scary. That is why most people in impoverish communities do not go to the doctor. Which can lead to them developing worse health problems or even death. 

Furthermore, the causes on why people are in poverty are not as strong as the effects. Something as losing your job, growing up in a poor community, having a parent pass away and just getting dealt a bad card are not as bad as the effects. The effects are drastic, the effects put people hole so deep they feel they cannot get out of. The education system fails their children and does not help them as much to get out of poverty. The government fails them, keeping them in a position of poverty with little resources to escape. They are ways to get out though, might be extremely difficult but a healthy environment can help, good parents, a sense of community and a sense of belonging. Understand that being poor is not a bad thing, it does not feel good to be poor but people are not worse for it. They are still beautiful humans just got a dealt a worse card or are going through a tough time. Instead of our society looking down on these people we should be empowering them to be the people we know they are and help them achieve their true potential.

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Cause And Effect Essay On Poverty

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Essay on Poverty: Causes, Effects, and Solutions

Poverty is an international problem that affects many people. It means not having enough money for basic things like food, housing, and healthcare. Poverty also has serious consequences for individuals and communities. In this essay on poverty, we will examine the causes, effects, and possible solutions to poverty. Understanding poverty better will enable us to create a more equal society where everyone can live happily.

essay-on-poverty

Table of Contents

  • 1 Introduction to Poverty Essay
  • 2.1 Economic Inequality
  • 2.2 Political Instability
  • 2.3 Discrimination
  • 2.4 Lack of Education or Training
  • 2.5 Health Issues or Disabilities
  • 2.6 Limited Access to Affordable Housing
  • 2.7 Globalization And Trade Policies
  • 2.8 Environmental Factors
  • 2.9 Income Inequality
  • 3.1 Short-term Effects of Poverty
  • 3.2 Long-term Effects of Poverty
  • 4.1 Training and Education
  • 4.2 Microfinance
  • 4.3 Healthcare
  • 4.4 Basic Income
  • 4.5 Affordable Housing
  • 4.6 Food Assistance
  • 4.7 Progressive Taxation
  • 4.8 Community Development
  • 5 Conclusion of Poverty Essay

Introduction to Poverty Essay

A person who is in poverty is one who lacks basic necessities like food, shelter, and clothing. It’s a complex, broad issue that affects millions of people worldwide. But poverty isn’t just a lack of material resources; it’s also a range of social, economic, and political factors that limit an individual’s freedom.

A person in poverty may experience poor health outcomes, limited access to education, higher crime rates, and social exclusion. Poverty impacts society as a whole as well, including lower economic productivity, higher healthcare costs, and increased social inequality.

In many cases, poverty is tied to other forms of inequality, like racism, sexism, and disability discrimination. These overlapping factors make it difficult for individuals and communities to break out of poverty. Even though poverty has been combated for decades, it remains a big problem everywhere. In fact, the COVID-19 pandemic has made it worse, pushing millions of people into poverty.

In order to solve poverty, it’s important to understand its root causes and effects of poverty and develop effective strategies.

Also Read: Essay On Motivation In Life.

Causes of Poverty: Examining Systemic and Individual Factors Contributing to Poverty

causes-of-poverty-essay

Economic Inequality

The presence of large amounts of wealth in the hands of a few individuals or groups can limit the access of those who are not as fortunate to have access to resources and opportunities. For example, families with low incomes may not be able to afford the same quality of education as wealthy ones, thus limiting their future opportunities.

Political Instability

A country with an unstable political climate may have limited access to basic services such as healthcare and education, leading to higher poverty rates. According to the World Bank, 8% of the global population, or 648 million people , live in extreme poverty.

Discrimination

Access to resources and opportunities can be limited by societal barriers like race, gender, sexuality, or ability. These kinds of barriers can be seen in education, employment, housing, and healthcare. They create an unequal playing field, where some have access to resources, while others are unfairly excluded. Due to this, disadvantaged people are unable to break out of poverty.

Lack of Education or Training

It is a major cause of poverty. When people don’t have access to appropriate education or vocational training, they often can’t get well-paying jobs or find employment at all. Without education, it’s hard for individuals to escape poverty because they lack the skills and knowledge needed to secure better opportunities.

Health Issues or Disabilities

Individuals with health issues or disabilities may be unable to work or earn a stable income due to health issues or disabilities. Healthcare costs can quickly increase, putting individuals under financial burden. Also, individuals who suffer from health challenges may have difficulty finding and maintaining employment due to limited physical or cognitive abilities. Lack of access to healthcare and preventative services worsens the problem. Health issues and disabilities impact economic stability and basic needs, creating a continuous cycle of poverty.

Limited Access to Affordable Housing

When people cannot find affordable housing, they must spend a large portion of their income on housing, leaving them with only a minimal amount of money to spend on other basic necessities. This problem is caused by factors such as high prices, limited availability, and discriminatory practices, which lead to overcrowded and unhealthy living conditions, evictions, and homelessness.

Globalization And Trade Policies

Globalization and trade policies can lead to poverty for several reasons. When countries engage in globalization and trade, local industries can suffer because they are unable to compete with foreign companies. It can result in job losses and the loss of economic diversity within the country.

Also, trade policies that do not properly regulate cheap goods can negatively impact developing countries. If powerful nations favor these goods, it can lead to overdependence on imports, further diminishing local industries and job opportunities. Also, trade agreements may prioritize the export of raw materials rather than encouraging the development of industries that add more value to these resources.

Developing countries also face challenges related to technology, medicine, and labor standards. Limited access to advanced technologies and essential medicines can interfere with their development. Also, outsourcing production to countries with lower labor standards can lead to low compensations and poor working conditions for workers in developing countries.

In short, trade policies that prioritize profit over people can lead to job loss and lower wages, contributing to poverty in both developed and developing countries.

Environmental Factors

Environmental factors also cause poverty. There are also natural disasters like droughts and floods that destroy livelihoods and limit access to resources like fertile land and water. Rising temperatures and unpredictable weather patterns have also been linked to climate change, which affects both agriculture and low-income communities. Deforestation and pollution further damage people’s health by reducing access to resources. Polluted areas or toxic waste dumps further worsen the situation for underprivileged communities.

Income Inequality

Income inequality is one of the key causes of poverty. Poverty occurs when there is an imbalance in the distribution of income within a society, with some holding large amounts of wealth while the majority struggles with low incomes. There are several factors that can contribute to inequality, including unequal access to education, a lack of employment opportunities, as well as unfair economic policies. It contributes to a cycle of poverty by preventing people from getting decent salaries, accessing essential resources, and improving their overall living conditions, thus widening the wealth gap.

Also Read: Should Teenagers Have a Part Time Job Essay.

Effects of Poverty: Short Term and Long Term

Individuals in poverty lack the resources they need to meet their basic needs. Here in this poverty essay, we will analyze the short-term and long-term effects of poverty.

effects-of-poverty-essay

Short-term Effects of Poverty

  • Malnutrition: Poverty leads to a lack of access to nutritious food, resulting in malnutrition, which can cause inadequate growth, weakened immune systems, and other health problems.
  • Poor Health: People living in poverty often lack access to healthcare and basic hygiene, leading to an increased risk of diseases and poor health outcomes.
  • Lower Educational Achievement: Children living in poverty often lack access to quality education, leading to lower levels of education, which can have negative effects on future employment opportunities and earning capacity.
  • Increased Crime Rates : The higher the level of poverty is, the more likely it is that people will become dependent on committing crimes in order to meet the basic needs of their families.
  • Psychological Distress: Poverty can also cause psychological distress, including feelings of shame, anxiety, and depression.

Long-term Effects of Poverty

  • Reduced Earning Potential: Poverty often results in lower education levels and limited opportunities for individuals growing up in poverty. A poverty-stricken individual may not have the same level of education or opportunities as an individual who grows up in a wealthy neighborhood.
  • Poor Health Outcomes: People suffering from poverty over the long term are more likely to suffer from poorer health outcomes, including a higher rate of chronic diseases and illnesses.
  • Intergenerational Poverty: There is a possibility that poverty may be passed from one generation to the next, thus creating a cycle of poverty that can be difficult to break.
  • Limited Social Mobility : In some cases, poverty limits social mobility and makes it challenging for individuals and families to make progress on the road to economic success and achieve greater economic stability as a result of poverty.
  • Reduced Community Development: When a community is poor, it often faces barriers to development due to the lack of available resources and opportunities for growth.

Also Read: What Does It Mean to Be Human Essay.

Effective Strategies and Solutions to Poverty

There are various potential solutions and interventions to reduce poverty, ranging from short-term emergency relief to long-term structural changes. Here are some solutions to poverty:

solutions-to-poverty-essay

Training and Education

Training and education are vital strategies for addressing poverty. Providing people with the skills and knowledge they need can increase their chances of finding a job and earning a living. Investing in educational opportunities, including vocational training and job-specific skills development, can empower individuals to break the poverty cycle.

Also, financial awareness and entrepreneurship education can give people the tools to manage their finances effectively and earn money. We can help individuals improve their lives and contribute to the economic development of their communities by investing in training and education.

Microfinance

Microfinance is an effective strategy and solution for poverty that offers small loans and financial services to people who don’t have access to traditional banks. It allows low-income people to earn income and improve their lives by starting or expanding their own small businesses.

A microfinance institution also provides borrowers with financial education and support, allowing them to develop good financial habits and manage their resources effectively. By providing microfinance to people, they will have the opportunity to break out of poverty and become self-sufficient, and this plays a vital role in uplifting their communities and giving them hope for the future.

Health care plays an important role in addressing poverty by providing effective strategies and solutions. Providing accessible and affordable healthcare services is essential to improving personal well-being and combating poverty.

As a society, we are responsible for making sure everyone has access to quality healthcare, including preventive care, diagnostics, treatments, and medications, so that our people can stay healthy, pursue education, and find employment.

Also, healthcare initiatives that focus on the promotion of health education and disease prevention can help individuals and communities make informed decisions about their health, thereby reducing poverty in the long run.

Basic Income

The basic income program is meant to provide individuals with a regular, unconditional source of income to cover all of their basic needs, regardless of whether or not they work. Along with reducing poverty, this can also provide a safety net for people with disabilities or other reasons who cannot work.

Affordable Housing

Providing affordable housing is a key way to fight poverty and ensure everyone has a place to live. This involves developing affordable housing options for low-income families. People and families can pay for other necessities like food and health care if housing is more cost-effective.

Also, this approach prevents housing insecurity and lowers housing costs, which gives people the opportunity to get quality education and a job. Housing for everyone can be achieved through a range of measures, including government subsidies, rent control, and partnerships with non-profits.

Food Assistance

Food assistance is critical for fighting poverty. It helps people and families who can’t afford nutritious food. It can come in the form of food banks, government programs, or community initiatives. The benefits of food assistance include reducing hunger, improving health outcomes, and enabling students to pursue education, jobs, and other opportunities. The goal of food assistance is to reduce poverty by addressing one of the most fundamental needs of individuals.

Progressive Taxation

Progressive taxation is an effective strategy and solution to poverty that involves taxing individuals and businesses based on their income or wealth. With a progressive tax system, people with higher incomes or more wealth pay more in taxes, while people with lower incomes pay less. Through this approach, appropriate wealth will be redistributed and income inequality will be reduced, giving the government more money to invest in programs that help people out of poverty.

Community Development

The goal of community development is to empower and improve the lives of individuals within a community thereby reducing poverty. The main objective is to identify and address the root causes of poverty, such as limited access to education, healthcare, and employment opportunities, by bringing together community members, organizations, and resources.

A key objective of community development is to uplift and break the cycle of poverty by actively involving the community in decision-making processes, increasing collaboration, and implementing sustainable initiatives. By using this approach, communities can become more self-sufficient, adaptable, and equipped with the tools and support they need in order to overcome poverty and improve their overall well-being.

Also Read: Can A Person Choose to Be Happy Essay.

Conclusion of Poverty Essay

Poverty is a pressing global issue with severe consequences for individuals and societies. Several factors contribute to this problem, including limited access to education, limited resources, unemployment, and unequal distribution of wealth. The effects of poverty can be seen in the form of inadequate healthcare, malnutrition, crime, and instability in society. As a way to combat this problem, we should create jobs and start businesses, improve access to essential necessities like water and healthcare, and create social safety nets. If we address the root causes and implement sustainable solutions, we can make our society more balanced and economically successful.

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What Causes Poverty in the World Report (Assessment)

Poverty rates in the world, overpopulation and world poverty, culture and world poverty, global distribution of resources: historical injustices and poverty in nations, education and unemployment, environmental degradation, inflation and development approaches, works cited.

This essay discusses the causes of poverty in the world. Poverty and related social inequality are as old as human history. Over the years, people have postulated many causes of poverty and social inequality. The many causes of poverty not withstanding, many definitions of the phenomena have been established. Whichever the definition, poverty is associated with want, lack of or deprivation of necessities in life. According to World Bank, people are individuals who survive on less than a dollar per day.

Despite the fact that living below a dollar, especially in urban areas, is an indicator of being poor, this definition does not apply in given contexts. For people living in some rural areas, the value of what they use as per their market pricing is lower than a dollar. However, considering the quality of life they live, they are better off than many others who live on more than ten dollars a day in the big cities of the world. Therefore, poverty is a complex concept and highly relative in its application or misapplication.

The world of today has the many people living in better socio-economic conditions than a century ago. However, the divide between the rich has widened over the years with the poor in the world forming an overwhelming majority. Statistics indicate that Africa carries the bulk of the poor in the world.

However, even in highly developing nations like India and China, given regions are notably highly impoverished. The impoverished regions of the world are characterized by dilapidated housing, lack of access to education, health care, frequent famines and other humanitarian disasters and catastrophes.

Due to poor infrastructure, response to problems is not efficient and effective enough thus resultant high impacts of disasters that would otherwise be averted. To understand this point better, one has to consider how a natural disaster like a tsunami of say Katrina’s magnitude would affect a third world country. The effects would be high due to poor response unlike what actually happened in the USA.

One of the major factors that have contributed to poverty in given areas of the world is overpopulation (Jones 137). The condition of having many people with fewer available resources combined with little space inevitably results in poverty. Uncontrolled birth rates, in places like Africa, have resulted in a general population boom.

The population upsurge has continually exerted pressure on available resources in the world. The available resource in given countries can only support a given number of people (McCarthy 42). One of the critical resources that support mankind is farming. A majority of people around the world depend on farming or general agriculture for sustenance. Population upsurge and resultant splitting of land into smaller pieces has led to less food production.

Culture is one of the reasons why people remain glued to practices that perpetuate poverty. For example, in some developing countries the more children one has the higher he or she is regarded in society. Cultural practices in traditional rural communities usually sanction the ability of large members of the family (Baker 154).

The governments of most third world countries give little or no attention to family planning because it goes against the cultural assumptions of the people. People anticipating to have smaller families experience difficulty in realizing this as others consider them weird (Rohr 105). Surging population rates point to even higher poverty rates in developing countries (Rohr 149).

Some thinkers have attributed poverty in some parts of the world to unequal distribution of resources. The legacy of colonialism is largely blamed for unequal resource distribution in the world economy (Baker 1).

Most of the developing countries have put more efforts to develop and strengthen their economies with technology and industries but this has been unsuccessful. The inequality in world economy due to historical events has largely hampered poverty alleviation efforts in the world (Pogge 17). Colonialists, for example, left Africa with a very weak infrastructure i.e. transport systems, power generation and communication after bludgeoning the resources of the colonies.

These happenings have derailed all aspects of moving away from poverty because the infrastructure is critical in the development of industries and expansion of the economy (Pogge 123). In recent years, wealthier countries have been accused of neocolonialism i.e. economic based dominance. This influence has enabled the wealthier countries to acquire inexpensive resources such as oil, ores and mineral from poor countries (Fields 59).

Lack of educational opportunities hampers development especially of children from rural areas (Baker 26). For the educated, lack of employment opportunities denies them an opportunity for social mobility. The rural areas in most countries of the world have high rates of illiteracy.

Illiteracy has been more severe in developing countries especially Africa south of the Sahara. Governments of poor countries have faced the inability to provide good and efficient public schools thus not marching with developments in the developing countries. Without good and sound education people fail to find a meaningful income.

Most poor people, in rural areas, forego going to school to facilitate concentration on how to make a minimal living (Iceland 79). Developing countries provide minimal employment opportunities, especially for women, which dampens the youth’s morale of going to school. When people do not work, there is no money which is earned and thus this increases high unemployment rate which in turn increases the level of poverty (Gilbert 131).

Environmental degradation in many parts of the world has led to the increase of poverty in the world. The world natural resources, which support mankind and enable growth and development, are slowly getting depleted due to unsustainable usage.

The climatic conditions have been changing gradually and natural habitats have slowly but surely been severely changed (Fields 167). Water bodies, atmosphere, forests and soils have deteriorated and this is a major cause of increasing world poverty. Global environmental degradation has led to the phenomenon of global warming.

Weather conditions are no longer steady but rather erratic and unpredictable. Over use of fertilizers and other wrong use of land has highly affected crop yield. Intensive farming or land over use, for instance, has lead to soil infertility and decrease in crop production (Fields 218).

Pollution from industries such as power production, mining, automobiles, agricultural fertilizers and chemical production has adversely affected adequate food production, availability of clean water for drinking, and facilitated destruction of natural habitats especially for aquatic beings.

Deforestation has brought environmental effects especially in developing countries where some sections of the population depend entirely on forests as source of food and wood to power their activities. Their survival efforts have largely contributed to deforestation and its related effects (Fields 225). Forests absorb pollutant and offers catchment area for water. Without forests, the rain cycle is affected leading to increased famines in the world.

Poverty in the world is linked to economic trends. Developed countries, such as the United States in the 1950s, experienced high income growth (Dudley 167). Most families doubled their income within this period. However, in 1970s and early 1990s, inflation grew steadily hence raising the cost of living.

The economic recession of the 1980s adversely affected families; the young and less educated people could not get well paying jobs to support themselves. The change of labor market in most developed countries has also further aggravated the situation of poverty in the world today (Dudley 215).

The number of well paying jobs in the manufacturing industries has declined whereas in the service and technology industries, workers have significantly increased. Most people who cannot afford college education experiences hardship in securing a well paying work hence they are locked out of social mobility.

Moreover, in most wealthy countries, many people living in poverty have increased because of the rising inequality in the way resources are distributed. For instance in the United States, 20% of the poor have got smaller percentage of the total national income whereas the wealthy have increasingly earned much higher national income of 45%.

During this period, the middle and bottom income distribution has been progressively worse as the cost of living has gone up (Kendall 67). Demographic shifts have contributed to poverty especially among the children. In the US for example, family structures have been altered significantly increasing single parenting. This has increased poverty in the world (Kendall 73).

Poverty levels have been soaring around the world despite improved economic fortunes for a minority. The major causes of world poverty are improper policies and development approaches or plans undertaken in different nations. Economic imbalance or inequalities resulting from historical injustices also maintain a world order that does not sustain all. To alleviate world poverty, issues like overpopulation, environmental degradation among other factors have to be looked into more closely.

Baker, Judy, L. Poverty Reduction and Human Development in the Caribbean: a cross- country study, Parts 63-366 . Washington: World Bank Publication.1997

Fields, Gary, S. Poverty, Inequality, and Development . Florida: CUP Archive. 1980

Gilbert, Geoffrey. World poverty: a Reference handbook, Contemporary world issues. California: ABC-CLIO. 2004

Iceland, John. Poverty in America: a handbook . California: University of California Press. 2006

Jones, Philip, W. Education, Poverty and the World Bank . New Jersey: Sense Publishers. 2006

Kendall, Diana. Sociology in Our Times . Connecticut: Cengage Learning, 2007

McCarthy, Callaghan. The Causes of Poverty . East Yorkshire: P. S. King & Son, 1908

Pogge, Thomas, Winfried, Menko. World Poverty and Human Rights: Cosmopolitan Responsibilities and Reforms . Cambridge: Polity, 2008

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Causes And Effects Of Poverty Essay

the causes and effects of poverty essay

Show More The Causes and Effects of Poverty Currently, poverty is one of the most disastrous problems in the world. There is a huge number of people that die every year due to the lack of good standards for living such as education, jobs, food, and health care. Many countries around the world have a variety of people who need help in order to have the ability to live in difficult circumstances. However, not many people from developed countries help these kinds of people who are in need. Poverty has a variety of causes, and it also has many negative effects. One of the most significant causes of poverty is a lack of education. While education is extremely important, there is a great number of people around the world who are not educated. …show more content… Unemployment has many negative impacts on societies because unemployed people cannot support themselves. It is a very dangerous problem, for it increases the rate of crimes in communities. When people do not have money to purchase food or other important personal items, they will steal money from others. Governments must overcome this issue and find reasonable solutions for their unemployed citizens. There are many effective ways to solve this issue; for instance, governments should stop hiring employees from other countries. Moreover, providing jobs for unemployed people in the field of agriculture and industry can be a good solution for this problem. Unemployment is one of the most significant problems that can affect people’s …show more content… In some countries, birth rates are extremely high, whereas death rates are too low. When birth rates are very high in specific places, people who live there may have many difficulties in their lives. For example, people in China and India, which have the highest populations in the world, have difficulties in finding jobs in their countries. Then they immigrate to other countries to start new lives. Furthermore, the Chinese government created a law, which stated that each family must only have one child, to solve the problems that are related to overpopulation . According to Merrick, high birth rates can lead to poverty; furthermore, people can overcome poverty if they can decrease birth rates. Merrick and his supporters clarified the relationship between high birth rates and poverty before 1900 (par 6). Children who will be born in countries that have high birth rates may have obstacles in their lives, and it may threaten their future. Governments and experts must work hand in hand to find reasonable solutions for

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Why do Criminogenic Environments Cause Crime

This essay about criminogenic environments examines how these settings contribute to increased rates of crime and delinquency. It highlights factors such as socioeconomic disparities, social disorganization, and physical decay that shape criminal behavior within communities. By exploring these dynamics, the essay underscores the importance of addressing root causes and promoting community development to mitigate the impact of criminogenic environments on society.

How it works

Criminogenic environments, characterized by a perfect storm of socioeconomic adversities and social discord, act as breeding grounds for criminal activity within communities. While individuals are ultimately accountable for their actions, the environments they inhabit wield considerable influence, often steering them towards unlawful behavior.

One significant catalyst for criminality in criminogenic environments is the pervasive presence of socioeconomic inequalities and limited avenues for socioeconomic mobility. In areas marred by poverty, joblessness, and inadequate access to education and resources, individuals may find themselves ensnared in a cycle of deprivation and despair.

With few legitimate prospects for improving their circumstances, some may resort to illicit means of survival or retaliation against perceived injustices.

Furthermore, the unraveling of social bonds and the disintegration of community cohesion exacerbate the susceptibility to crime in these settings. When residents feel estranged from their neighbors and bereft of communal ties, the informal checks and balances that deter criminal conduct weaken. This breakdown in social order fosters an environment where antisocial behaviors thrive, particularly among impressionable youth who lack positive role models and support networks.

Moreover, the physical decay and neglect evident in criminogenic environments contribute to the normalization of criminal behavior. Abandoned buildings, dilapidated infrastructure, and litter-strewn streets serve as tangible reminders of neglect and abandonment, fostering a culture of lawlessness and impunity. In such surroundings, individuals may feel emboldened to engage in unlawful acts, buoyed by the belief that deviance is not only tolerated but expected.

To address the challenges posed by criminogenic environments, a multifaceted approach is imperative, one that targets both the root causes of crime and the conditions that sustain it. This may entail initiatives aimed at reducing socioeconomic disparities, revitalizing blighted neighborhoods through investment in infrastructure and social programs, and promoting community empowerment and resilience. By tackling the underlying drivers of criminality and fostering environments conducive to positive social interactions and opportunities, we can begin to dismantle the structures that perpetuate the cycle of crime and pave the way for safer, more equitable communities to flourish.

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    The effects of poverty. The effects of poverty are serious. Children who grow up in poverty suffer more persistent, frequent, and severe health problems than do children who grow up under better financial circumstances. Many infants born into poverty have a low birth weight, which is associated with many preventable mental and physical ...

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    Need advice on how to highlight the causes of poverty in your cause and effect essay? There are services that can give the right tips. Check this Top-10 list. Learn more. Perhaps the most direct causal link exists between poverty and the balance between a country's population density and its agricultural capabilities.

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    These may include various addictions, insufficient level of education, a person's worldview, and other reasons. Structural factors include labor market conditions, demographic context, and other socio-economic circumstances. An example is the increase in poverty associated with the development of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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    A number of effects of poverty- as enumerated above- can also cause of poverty, thus generating a cycle of poverty and complicating the matter even more: These comprise of extremism; depression; human trafficking; hunger; illiteracy, suicide; and drug abuse, among others (John & Tigani 208). Poverty in childhood wields its effect all through ...

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    Another profound effect of poverty is "vulnerability". Vulnerability is often taken as an outcome of poverty because it makes the poor individuals or groups more exposed to emergencies and stress and being poor either due to lack of capital or other resources, the poor are unable to cope with these contingencies.

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    Poverty has a variety of causes, and it also has many negative effects. One of the most significant causes of poverty is a lack of education. While education is extremely important, there is a great number of people around the world who are not educated. …show more content…. Unemployment has many negative impacts on societies because ...

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