Chapter 13 Section 3 Poverty in America

46.5 million people

About how many people in America are living in poverty?

basic needs

According to the government, a poor family is one whose total income is less than the amount needed to satisfy a family's ___________________.

Race and Ethnic Origin

African Americans and Hispanic Americans are more than twice as likely to be living in poverty. 25% African Americans and 20% of Hispanic Americans live under the poverty threshold.

Lack of education, location, racial and gender discrimination, economic shifts, shifts in family structure

Causes of Poverty:

Age

Children have the highest rate of poverty of those who are 17 or younger.

Type of Family

Families with single parents have a poverty rate 6 times greater than 2 parent homes. Children have a poverty rate significantly higher than other age group.

Residence

Those living in the inner city are twice as likely to live in poverty. Rural America has a significant portion of the population living in poverty.

investment

Wealth allows for ________________.

opportunity (better education, safer living, better health)

Wealth creates increased _______________.

income distribution

how a nation's total income is divided among the population

poverty threshold

the income level below which income is sufficient to support a family or household

poverty rate

the percentage of people who live in households with incomes below the poverty threshold