How poverty is handled in America

Children growing up in the inner city lack many resources they need to live a successful life. Impoverished families and communities are unable to provide the kind of privileges that outer city residences have. Although not impossible, the cycle of poverty, violence and drugs is extremely hard to get out of.

Poverty, violence, drugs and involvement of the law are not equal causes of unsuccessful children, in fact, poverty is actually the cause of violence, drugs and law enforcement involvement. Poverty is not self-perpetuating. Poor people are not in their position because they are lazy or are not willing to gain the skills necessary for a higher paying job. Poor people are born into a cycle of poverty that is extremely hard to get out of.  Poor families send their children to kindergarten with lethal first-language deficits and stunted social and emotional development, as parents may spend a lot of time working or not be capable of reading or writing. (Gilbert) This makes it highly unlikely that these children will be able to read by age nine. Failure to read by nine is linked closely to elevated high school dropout rates and suppresses short- and long-term individual learning and earning potential. If current trends continue, 6.6 million low-income children aged 8 and younger will be at increased risk of failing to graduate from high school on time or at all. Seventy-five percent of state prison inmates and 59 percent of federal prison inmates are high school dropouts. (Gilbert)

                Poverty is actually a societal problem, not an individual’s problem. In America there is a capitalist system. In this system income is propelled upward, leading to rising income inequality. Profit is privatized while loss is socialized. Business and individuals can benefit from any and all profits related to their line of business but avoid losses by having those losses paid for by society through the people’s taxes. Allowing a few the benefit of exploding wealth while the incomes of the majority working class stagnate or even collapse. This system was made over the idea that if the big corporations are benefiting then this causes a trickle-down effect where everyone benefits. If the rich are getting richer then so are the people of the US, including the working class. With this idea in mind, the government will supply money to corporations in hopes that they create more jobs. This doesn’t work in the way it’s intended to because if the companies’ workers are meeting demand then there will be no reason to hire more people just because the business has more money in its pockets. (“Privatizing Profits and Socializing Losses”) The corporations’ main focus is profit, if they don’t have to spend the money they won’t. In reality, we cut taxes of the rich or give money to corporations, leaving the government without the money to support schools or infrastructures. (“Privatizing Profits and Socializing Losses”)

                With any social problem, change is possible. Change may be slow but entirely possible. Because education is localized, the schools near richer communities will thrive while poorer community schools will continue to struggle. With the help of the people from more privileged communities we can support and maintain the schools and education of the children from inner cities. It is extremely important to get active in whatever cause that you believe in, whether it be just joining an activist group but not being actually active in the group, at least they have one more person to count as someone who cares. When government officials see how many people care about a cause, they will in turn become more active for that cause. Change will become possible, with more people getting active.

                The most important thing with a societal problem like poverty is realizing the root of the cause, expressing your concern and getting active. No matter the type of government system, there will always be power in numbers. It’s important that the privileged realize that poverty is not the individuals fault and help the people in need. The harsh reality is that poverty will not be escapable without the help of the people in power.

Gilbert, Linetta. Gaudiani, Claire. “Dismantling the poverty trap.” http://www.huffingtonpost.com/linetta-j-gilbert/poverty-trap-america_b_1856398.html Web December 10 2014.

 “Privatizing profits and Socializing losses.” www.investopedia.com/terms/p/privatizing-profits-and-socializing-losses.asp Web December 9 2014.