How Poor Are America's Poor? Examining the "Plague" of Poverty in America

[dzovi]

Here's an interesting article that I read.  Below is a excerpt from the article and the link to the article.

http://www.heritage.org/Research/welfare/bg2064.cfm

Poverty is an important and emotional issue. Last year, the Census Bureau released its annual report on poverty in the United States declaring that there were 37 million poor persons living in this country in 2005, roughly the same number as in the preceding years.[4] According to the Census report, 12.6 percent of Amer*icans were poor in 2005; this number has varied from 11.3 percent to 15.1 percent of the population over the past 20 years.[5]

To understand poverty in America, it is important to look behind these numbers—to look at the actual living conditions of the individuals the government deems to be poor. For most Americans, the word "poverty" suggests destitution: an inability to provide a family with nutritious food, clothing, and reasonable shelter. But only a small number of the 37 million per*sons classified as "poor" by the Census Bureau fit that description. While real material hardship certainly does occur, it is limited in scope and severity. Most of America's "poor" live in material conditions that would be judged as comfortable or well-off just a few generations ago. Today, the expenditures per person of the lowest-income one-fifth (or quintile) of house*holds equal those of the median American household in the early 1970s, after adjusting for inflation.[6]

The following are facts about persons defined as "poor" by the Census Bureau, taken from various gov*ernment reports:

    * Forty-three percent of all poor households actu*ally own their own homes. The average home owned by persons classified as poor by the Census Bureau is a three-bedroom house with one-and-a-half baths, a garage, and a porch or patio.

    * Eighty percent of poor households have air conditioning. By contrast, in 1970, only 36 percent of the entire U.S. population enjoyed air conditioning.

    * Only 6 percent of poor households are over*crowded. More than two-thirds have more than two rooms per person.

    * The average poor American has more living space than the average individual living in Paris, London, Vienna, Athens, and other cities throughout Europe. (These comparisons are to the average citizens in foreign countries, not to those classified as poor.)

    * Nearly three-quarters of poor households own a car; 31 percent own two or more cars.

    * Ninety-seven percent of poor households have a color television; over half own two or more color televisions.

    * Seventy-eight percent have a VCR or DVD player; 62 percent have cable or satellite TV reception.

    * Eighty-nine percent own microwave ovens, more than half have a stereo, and more than a third have an automatic dishwasher.

[Peavey]

I'll be really interested to see if anybody replies to this.  I've not seen anyone really concerned with the issue of poverty on this site.  Marking for updates, I guess.

[Chauncy]

89% have microwave ovens. What kind of stat is that and what does it even mean?

Of course poor people have microwaves. It's called heating up 39 cent burritos and leftovers. Purchasing a microwave is a way of saving money for the poor.  :lol:


No shit the definition of poverty is different here then in other places, but we are also supposed to be the best country in the world and have to be held to a higher standard. Everything is relative, and many people here aren't and don't have a chance to live the so called "American Dream" simply based on where they are born and end up living paycheck to paycheck.

Don't purchase a microwave, cable, TV, air conditioning, car and at the end of the day, these people are still poor.

[Peavey]

I find this link to be better than any poverty level measure that I've come across:

http://www.nccp.org/tools/frs/budget.php

It's a basic needs calculator.  I use it in the classroom, and I think it does a good job of illustrating who is, or isn't struggling.

[Ron_NYC]

[quote author=Peavey link=topic=22915.msg1423478#msg1423478 date=1256249901]
I'll be really interested to see if anybody replies to this.  I've not seen anyone really concerned with the issue of poverty on this site.  Marking for updates, I guess.
[/quote]
Most are concerned, but feel helpless to do anything.

They realize that the typical person in this country is struggling, and empathize with other human beings that suffer. They realize that a lot of the people who think they're middle class are actually part of the working poor.
And then there's Hyper.

[Peavey]

[quote author=Ron_NYC link=topic=22915.msg1423492#msg1423492 date=1256251414]
Most are concerned, but feel helpless to do anything.

They realize that the typical person in this country is struggling, and empathize with other human beings that suffer. They realize that a lot of the people who think they're middle class are actually part of the working poor.
And then there's Hyper.
[/quote]

Speak for yourself, Ron.  I changed my sig in honor of this issue a while ago.  Nobody cares.  Maybe you care. 

And there are a shit ton of things people can do, but it would require giving up some of what they have. 

[Chauncy]

[quote author=Peavey link=topic=22915.msg1423498#msg1423498 date=1256251615]


And there are a shit ton of things people can do, but it would require giving up some of what they have. 
[/quote]

#1  just being aware that it actually does exist and is a problem. (not rooted in laziness either)

[Peavey]

[quote author=Chauncy link=topic=22915.msg1423501#msg1423501 date=1256251787]
#1  just being aware that it actually does exist and is a problem. (not rooted in laziness either)
[/quote]

Indeed. 
That there are gendered and racialized biases that inform poverty.  That minimum wage keeps many Americans impoverished.  That there is little one can do to pull themselves out of systemic inequality.  Yada, yada...

[Ron_NYC]

[quote author=Peavey link=topic=22915.msg1423498#msg1423498 date=1256251615]
Speak for yourself, Ron.  I changed my sig in honor of this issue a while ago.  Nobody cares.  Maybe you care. 

And there are a shit ton of things people can do, but it would require giving up some of what they have. 
[/quote]
Dude, I'm on medicaid, get financial aid, and am trying to get food stamps. I'm not part of the solution, I'm part of the problem.

[Peavey]

[quote author=Ron_NYC link=topic=22915.msg1423512#msg1423512 date=1256252234]
Dude, I'm on medicaid, get financial aid, and am trying to get food stamps. I'm not part of the solution, I'm part of the problem.
[/quote]

Whatever.  You aren't contributing to U.S. poverty by not contributing to the system. Millions of people can't make it despite their best efforts. 

[bowieluva]

My apartment came with a microwave.
I don't have air conditioning.
Of course it wasn't as common in 1970. The technology wasn't there.
I mean, a huge problem with poverty in America,and why the economy is going down the shit hole, is that people who are completely impoverished have added a false sense of value to stupid things like cable. Hence why in high school, if you go to some insanely poor kid's house, they have a mercedes that they're going to be paying off twenty years after their death.
You take a train through impoverished villages in Romania, they have satellite TV. It's not a sign that Romania is actually living a life of luxury. It's just a sign that either people's values are retarded, or they know they'll never have  a chance in life so they may as well pour all their money into something enjoyable. Like a microwave. You can buy those at Target for thirty bucks, not really a sign of success.

[ApRyL]

according to Peavy's calculator , I am so beyond being poor I may as well sell one of the kids to try to get ahead.
I don't feel poor, I don't live poor....but  according to all this info I am....

*markin to continue reading after work.

[bowieluva]

I'm fascinated by this statistic:
* Only 6 percent of poor households are over crowded. More than two-thirds have more than two rooms per person.

What? The family next to me has three kids and live in a one bedroom. My best friend grew up in a two bedroom house with her mom and brother and sister. Like, yeah maybe the house also had a kitchen and a bathroom but those hardly constitute one room per person.
"Okay honey, that laundry area is your special place!"

[tgyta]

[quote author=bowieluva link=topic=22915.msg1423584#msg1423584 date=1256260178]
I'm fascinated by this statistic:
* Only 6 percent of poor households are over crowded. More than two-thirds have more than two rooms per person.

What? The family next to me has three kids and live in a one bedroom. My best friend grew up in a two bedroom house with her mom and brother and sister. Like, yeah maybe the house also had a kitchen and a bathroom but those hardly constitute one room per person.
"Okay honey, that laundry area is your special place!"
[/quote]

yea at first I thought they meant two BEDROOMS per person and all I could think was "what the crap?"  I know rich people that don't even have two bedrooms per person. 

The cheapest apartment I ever lived in was $400/month with all utilities included except electric (which was $15-40 depending on the season).  It came with an AC, a dishwasher, and a nasty ant invasion every summer.  I've also been uber poor in the past with 5 cars, almost all of which were destined for the junkyard.  I've had the same stereo and microwave since I was 17, cuz I got them for xmas.  They're not great quality and if I tried to pawn them I'd probably get a whopping $20.  colored tv's can be picked up at goodwill for like $20.

and a VCR player?  :lol:  a person's not necessarily rolling in the dough if they're rockin' a VCR.

I don't know...the article doesn't really do anything for me.  *shrug*  kinda gotta take the quality of said items into account.

[Ron_NYC]

[quote author=Peavey link=topic=22915.msg1423513#msg1423513 date=1256252456]
Whatever.  You aren't contributing to U.S. poverty by not contributing to the system. Millions of people can't make it despite their best efforts. 
[/quote]

I was responding to this: "And there are a shit ton of things people can do, but it would require giving up some of what they have."

I am saying that there isn't much I can do, and for some reason you got nuts on me. I am confused, and cold.

[g r ee n ey e s]

Blah, monetary system, capitalism, blah.

[Peavey]

[quote author=Ron_NYC link=topic=22915.msg1423861#msg1423861 date=1256273350]
I was responding to this: "And there are a shit ton of things people can do, but it would require giving up some of what they have."

I am saying that there isn't much I can do, and for some reason you got nuts on me. I am confused, and cold.


[/quote]

I didn't think I 'got nuts', but whatever.  Even poor people challenge poverty.

And Apryl, I didn't post a poverty calculator.  I posted a basic needs calculator.  I've played around on it a bit, and it seems pretty accurate for most of the scenarios I've entered.  Is there actually a city near you? That makes the biggest difference.

[emmieslost]

when it all boils down to it, poverty is the root of all issues in this country in my opinion.  you want to talk about the war on drugs, crime rates, education.  it all boils down to poverty. 

[ApRyL]

[quote author=Peavey link=topic=22915.msg1423962#msg1423962 date=1256296476]
I didn't think I 'got nuts', but whatever.  Even poor people challenge poverty.

And Apryl, I didn't post a poverty calculator.  I posted a basic needs calculator.  I've played around on it a bit, and it seems pretty accurate for most of the scenarios I've entered.  Is there actually a city near you? That makes the biggest difference.
[/quote]


Yes, I live quite close to 2 major cities in Wisconsin, I was being slightly facetious by saying poverty calculator...

I don't have the savings @ 30 that I assumed I would have, but I live comfortably.
I own my own homes {2},and only pay about 1000$ in mortgages per month .... I own vehicles for recreation as well as necessity, no  payments on any of them {vehicles}, none  a newer make than a 98, but hey, point a to point b is what concerns me....we have all the bells and whistles in electronics, which honestly I could use a serious downsizing in......like I don't know when it became the norm for children under 16 to need cell phones, but all my small children have them, and dvr's for their flat screen tv's.

[Cat Pajamas]

My daughters and I live on very little, very happily.  Once you give something up, it's easy to get used to not having it.  I drive a 1994 VW Golf, which costs $28 a month to insure, and about $40 in gas.  I could get a nicer car... but I don't wanna pay for it.  I would rather have money readily available if we decide to go to a movie, or be lazy and order dinner in, or buy them the adorable peacoats I found last week.
We do not have cable, just a really old tv and a cheap DVD player.  Netflix is awesome, and the girls watch interesting documentaries instead of brain-rotting trash.
My parents and I split the cost of an Amish cow once a year (like organic, but cheaper!).  I never buy meat from the grocery store.  I buy potatoes from a local farm, $5 for 50 lbs.
Our lives are simple.  We have health insurance and food and a lovely place to live.  I have a little savings account, recieve no child support or government assistance (I qualify for almost $600 a month in food stamps last time I checked.  I would waste it on expensive cheese, honestly).  And still we survive.  I think it's more like Bowie said.  A lot of people have messed up priorities.  People are able to live on a lot less than they think, they just can't stop trying to keep up with the Jonses.

[ApRyL]

[quote author=Cat Pajamas link=topic=22915.msg1424084#msg1424084 date=1256312494]
My daughters and I live on very little, very happily.  Once you give something up, it's easy to get used to not having it.  I drive a 1994 VW Golf, which costs $28 a month to insure, and about $40 in gas.  I could get a nicer car... but I don't wanna pay for it.  I would rather have money readily available if we decide to go to a movie, or be lazy and order dinner in, or buy them the adorable peacoats I found last week.
We do not have cable, just a really old tv and a cheap DVD player.  Netflix is awesome, and the girls watch interesting documentaries instead of brain-rotting trash.
My parents and I split the cost of an Amish cow once a year (like organic, but cheaper!).  I never buy meat from the grocery store.  I buy potatoes from a local farm, $5 for 50 lbs.
Our lives are simple.  We have health insurance and food and a lovely place to live.  I have a little savings account, recieve no child support or government assistance (I qualify for almost $600 a month in food stamps last time I checked.  I would waste it on expensive cheese, honestly).  And still we survive.  I think it's more like Bowie said.  A lot of people have messed up priorities.  People are able to live on a lot less than they think, they just can't stop trying to keep up with the Jonses.
[/quote]

I totally agree, I wasn't raised in a consumerist environment, my parents are super hippies...
I don't want to keep up, I just want my kids to have more than I did, or maybe not more, but different.

[bowieluva]

Most of the kids I know who were raised in a poor family spend money in much more grandiose ways than the rich kids I know. I'll never forget my really, really poor gay friend going out and blowing $500 on some hideous designer belt. I was like, that's going to be out of style in like a week. But it was a big status thing for him to own it. Then he had no money for groceries.

Because we live in a capitalist society with an emphasis on consumerism, people from lower income families are raised to believe that they must live in the 'now'. Saving is discouraged. Just look at our government's brilliant economic strategy and you can see the CEOs of big business still struggling to Mr. Burns everyone. What would have been logical would have been to spend those billions used in the bail outs to bail out the people, not industry. Forgive prior debt. Give everyone a clean slate to start off on. I can't believe how many people I know who aren't even thirty and are wading in debt. But instead, the message was 'buy buy buy, the only way to save this country is to buy shit you don't need' which is actually what got us there in the first place. People don't need to start living like insane hermits and shunning personal possessions but you also don't need a Hummer.

And as for that poverty study, I don't understand where that info came from at all. What about Katrina, which was a prefect case study of poverty in the US? All those people in the refugee camps who were robbing and killing each other over a credit card the government handed out with a thousand dollars on it,because most people have never had a thousand bucks in the bank. That's sad. Just because people aren't living in wood huts like Mexican border towns or a third world nation doesn't mean we don't have our own pit of despair. And you know, you go off the beaten track, you will find people like that in America.

[ApRyL]

All Knowie Bowie....I kinda hearts her a bit.

[the color nine]

We don't and can't have anything extra.  I am amazed that some people can afford cell phones and car payments.  Home, electricity, heat, food and medications is about it.  Our entertainment is cable/internet and netflix.  We can't go anywhere or eat out.  The big treat is the occasional bottle of booze/wine or six pack for us and or soda/pop for the kids. If a event calls for a celebration.  Christmas is celebrated as far as any gifts go at tax refund time.  Every time I see something I want I bookmark it for then.
When we get an excess of something we have grown we give to those that need it. 

[deliberate_misuse]

Most poverty is borne of lack of education.  Without education, people have children too young, never get themselves back on their feet, get stuck in low-paying, dead-end jobs, live in crime-ridden neighborhoods (poverty and crime are inextricably linked), and their children repeat the cycle.