Poverty in American Families

Brittany Schell

Professor Broadous

PAS 113B

22 March 2012

Poverty in American Families

            In our nation today, poverty is getting to be increasingly out of hand. Many American families are losing houses, cars, and jobs. Not only is it affecting the parents, but the children as well. Children are beginning to drop out of school to find jobs to help support the family. If families cannot get accepted into a shelter then they are left with the option of living on the street or in their cars. How do Americans prevent from falling into poverty if our economy is failing entirely? This is a problem that may take years to resolve, or even never resolved at all. Little by little can be done to improve homelessness in America. Volunteering, for example, is the way to start. Personally volunteering at L.A. Family Housing has opened my eyes to what is really going on in our world today. Many Americans cannot support their family and need help getting back on their feet. Programs such as L.A. Family Housing are helping families transition out of homelessness and into a stable financial life. Families that continue to seek help from shelters, find jobs, and continue to receive education will be able to rise out of poverty.

            Seeking help from shelters is a positive step in homelessness because many shelters have great resources. L.A. Family Housing has personal rooms for families where they can stay for up to six months or even longer, if the family is in desperate need. They also provide breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day. Residents do not even have to pay rent because the shelter wants those who live there to save their money to be able to get back on their feet in the future. Poverty among two-parent families makes up 15% of the population (Ellwood p.82). Many families are in need of help and as citizens we should do our best to lend a helping hand. In the book, Poor Support, Ellwood states that two-parent families make it out of financial struggles faster than single-parent families. Single parents need more help because not only do they play the role of provider, but as nurturer too. Poverty is taking over this country at a fast pace and as long as our economy continues to head in a negative direction so will the lives of many American citizens.

            Finding a job is import to those who are falling in to poverty because a job is what will pay the bills. L.A. Family Housing provides residents with classes on how to build a resume and be prepared for job interviews. Resources such as this are improving the lives of those who have lost everything. In this recession 7 ½ million people have lost their jobs (PBS: Throwaway People). Not only are parents losing jobs, but children are taking risks such as dropping out of school to obtain a job and help bring in income for the family. A full-time worker earning the minimum wage would have a yearly income of $8,500 – well below the $15,500 that is the poverty line for a family of four (Axinn/Levin p.308). People cannot survive in conditions like this. Losing jobs almost likely leads to the family using welfare checks and food stamps. Anti-welfare activists in the 80’s suggested that welfare was bad because families become dependent on resources such as this (Chappell p.199). Many families probably do misuse the right to be on welfare, but in the end it will not keep them afloat forever. Sooner or later those in poverty need to find a job to survive.

            Continuing an education is the key result out of poverty. The more education you have the more likely you will prevail. Families in poverty are suffering lack in education because children who are suffering are dropping out of school. Many go to sleep hungry and have no electricity, therefore making it harder to complete homework and to study (PBS: Throwaway People). It is hard to think would if that was my child? Education is a very important asset to one’s life and to not obtain any sort of diploma due to the fact one cannot provide for their family is unfortunate. Within the past two years 2 million more children fell into poverty; that is 25% of the population (PBS: Throwaway People). Children living in poverty may not be all that bad, even though it may affect their entire lives and self-esteem, children can learn how important it is to save money and receive a higher education.

            Our government needs to find its priorities and use our money for better necessities rather than wasting our tax dollars on things we rarely need or use. Creating more jobs for many Americans can also be a positive direction for helping those out of homelessness. Programs such as L.A. Family housing can be a great investment for our country because it has all the necessities families need to become financially stable once again. The more help we have here in the U.S., the better. Those who are in need can do their part by not falling into dependency on government programs. Helping those in need can be the start in the positive direction to keep this country from falling into poverty completely. Seeking help, finding jobs, and continuing on to higher education can help fix our nations poverty problem. Continuing this cycle for a period of time can result in our nation being the strongest it has ever been. The only way to do this is if everyone takes a part in this role for ending poverty.

Works Cited

Axinn, June, and Herman Levin. "A Turn to the Right: The 1990's." Social Welfare: A History of

            the American Response to Need. New York: Dodd, Mead, 1975. Print.

Chappell, Marisa. "Relinquishing Responsibility for the Poor Families: Reagan's Family Wage

for the Wealthy." The War on Welfare. Philadelphia (Pa.): University of Pennsylvania, 2010. Print.

Ellwood, David T. Poor Support: Poverty in the American Family. New York: Basic, 1988.

            Print.

"Throwaway People." PBS. PBS. Web. 22 Mar. 2012.

            <http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/gsearch.html?x=0>.