Poverty in Washington D.C. and Education
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- Date Submitted: 06/24/2012 11:15 AM
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Poverty in Washington D.C. and Its Effect on Education
Poverty is described in many different ways and there are many different levels of poverty in which people live. Some people think it is not having food, a place to live, money, car or a job. The United Nation’s World Summit describes it as “a condition characterized by severe deprivation of basic human needs, including food, safe drinking water, sanitation facilities, health, shelter, education and information” (A Dollar a Day). The United States Federal Government describes poverty by two different ways, the poverty thresholds and the poverty guidelines. Most economists and social workers describe poverty by social definitions and statistical definitions. Social definitions of poverty are described by some as having a lack of essential items such as food, clothing, water and shelter needed for proper living (A Dollar a Day). Most Americans described by the government as living below the poverty line, live in a home with air conditioning, cable television, a game system and cell phones. Poor Americans do not live in luxury but they struggle to pay for what some people call essentials. There are many poor households that have modern conveniences but it does not mean that one day they will not be the one in twenty-five that statistics say will become temporarily homeless during the year (Understanding Poverty). “When people are unable to eat, go to school, or have any access to health care, then they can be considered to be in poverty, regardless of their income” (A Dollar a Day). The Census Bureau reported in September that “the number of Americans living below the official poverty line, 46.2 million people, was the most in the fifty-two years the bureau has been reporting the figures” (Soaring Poverty). Childhood hunger is at a high in America. Nearly one in five children cannot count on having enough to eat. Their bodies may not be thin, or there stomachs bloated like in other countries, but...
Poverty is described in many different ways and there are many different levels of poverty in which people live. Some people think it is not having food, a place to live, money, car or a job. The United Nation’s World Summit describes it as “a condition characterized by severe deprivation of basic human needs, including food, safe drinking water, sanitation facilities, health, shelter, education and information” (A Dollar a Day). The United States Federal Government describes poverty by two different ways, the poverty thresholds and the poverty guidelines. Most economists and social workers describe poverty by social definitions and statistical definitions. Social definitions of poverty are described by some as having a lack of essential items such as food, clothing, water and shelter needed for proper living (A Dollar a Day). Most Americans described by the government as living below the poverty line, live in a home with air conditioning, cable television, a game system and cell phones. Poor Americans do not live in luxury but they struggle to pay for what some people call essentials. There are many poor households that have modern conveniences but it does not mean that one day they will not be the one in twenty-five that statistics say will become temporarily homeless during the year (Understanding Poverty). “When people are unable to eat, go to school, or have any access to health care, then they can be considered to be in poverty, regardless of their income” (A Dollar a Day). The Census Bureau reported in September that “the number of Americans living below the official poverty line, 46.2 million people, was the most in the fifty-two years the bureau has been reporting the figures” (Soaring Poverty). Childhood hunger is at a high in America. Nearly one in five children cannot count on having enough to eat. Their bodies may not be thin, or there stomachs bloated like in other countries, but...