Poverty

1
Poverty

• A Short Primer

2
Defining Poverty

• The poverty threshold is set by the U.S. Office
  of Budget Management.
• Current Poverty Guidelines
• 1 10,830
• 2 14,570
• 3 18,310
• 4 22,050
• (Each additional person in a family equals
  approximately 3,740 added to the total.)

3
Defining Poverty (cont.)

• A chronic and debilitating condition that
  results from multiple adverse synergistic risk
  factors that impact the mind, body, and soul.

4
Situational Poverty

• Caused by sudden crisis like environmental
  disasters, divorce, or severe health problems.
• Often temporary

5
Generational Poverty

• Occurs in situations where at least two
  generations of a family have been born into
  poverty.
• Individuals in this situation do not have the
  resources to move out of their situations

6
Absolute Poverty

• A scarcity of necessities like water, shelter,
  and food.
• Families living in absolute poverty can only
  focus on day-to-day survival.
• This is rare in the United States.

7
Relative Poverty

• Occurs when a familys economic status is
  insufficient to meet societys average standard
  of living.
• An example of this would be a high school teacher
  living in Beverly Hills.

8
Urban Poverty

• Occurs in metropolitan areas with a population
  above 50,000 people.
• Deal with chronic and acute stressors like
  crowding, violence, and noise.
• Dependent on often-inadequate large city services
  (i.e. transportation, social services, etc.)

9
Rural Poverty

• Occurs in nonmetropolitan areas with populations
  under 50,000 people.
• Often marked by a high number of single-guardian
  households.
• Less access to service, support for disabilities,
  and quality educational opportunities.
• Few programs to encourage transition from welfare
  to work.

10
Sources

• Department of Health and Human Services
• http//aspe.hhs.gov/poverty/10poverty.shtml
• Jensen, Eric. Teaching With Poverty in Mind.
  ASCD Alexandria, VA, 2009.