Policy Making and Poverty - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 7 Words: 2161 Downloads: 9 Date added: 2019/04/15 Category Society Essay Level High school Topics: Poverty Essay Did you like this example? It is evident that a large population in the United States of America still lives in poverty despite the fact that this country has one of the most stable economies across the globe. Those living in poverty experience hardships that are mainly seen via the deprivation of material possessions. The aspect of poverty does not spare either the old or the young ones. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Policy Making and Poverty" essay for you Create order From this aspect, childhood poverty has also been prevalent over the years. Childhood poverty, in this case, applies to situations where children are brought up in conditions that deny those stable homes, quality education, and sufficient nutrition. Most of the adults living in poverty are faced by conditions such as lack of skills required for them in order to be termed productive. Moreover, adults living in poverty lack adequate academic qualifications, which causes them to have limited wages. The problem of poverty has led to a situation where people have to forego essential aspects such as healthcare in favor of meeting their basic needs. Statistics indicate that fifteen percent of Americans are living in poverty. This percentage translates to approximately fifteen million children and thirty million adults. This number of people living in poverty cannot be taken for granted since this country has one of the most stable economies across the globe. Additionally, these poverty lev els do not only affect the poor, but also affects the stability of the American economy. According to (Ferman, Louis, Joyce, Kornbluh, and Alan, 116-133) poverty is a problem that can only be overcome via the development of effective policies to tame it. It is also expected that poverty levels in the USA will become extensive under the current administration. This is a clear indicator that the USA government has failed to develop adequate and effective policies that can be used to fight poverty. This means that due to the lack of proper policies most of the Americans will still not be able to enjoy the American dream and also the pursuit of happiness. The declaration of independence was based on the aspect of the American dream and the pursuit of happiness. However, over the years, this statement still remains to be a dream. The real reason as to why the United States of America has failed to address poverty is due to poor planning and the lack of adequate policies to handle this problem. The federal government has failed to come up with incentives and strategies needed to make the USA economy stronger. Instead, the government has been focused on maintaining its status quo of becoming the worlds leading economy. In order to reduce poverty, the federal government should work towards ensuring that it puts effective plans in place. In this case, the government should try and focus on aspects such as minimum wage. Minimum wage policies involve looking into aspects such as regulating the labor market. Additionally, the government should also plan on how to handle issues such as the provision of health care, education, and housing. Therefore, having better policies will ensure that there is sustainability in the growth of the economy and this may lead to the reduction of unemployment levels. In conclusion, critical planning and the development of effective policies can help in alleviating poverty in the USA. Statistics indicate that the poverty rate in the USA is approximately thirteen percent. However, the measures used to calculate the poverty rate levels were developed in the early 1960s. This percentage translates to approximately forty-two thousand people. These statistics indicate that most of the Americans believe that poverty is on the rise. These levels of poverty indicate that inequality in America has been on the rise. Additionally, the statistics indicate that the government has failed in fighting poverty. Also, the poverty levels in the USA has led to calls by IMF to have the federal government tackle this problem. If not tackled in advance the problem is expected to escalate into levels that will be difficult to manage. The statistics on poverty levels also show that the USA government has failed in ensuring equity in income distribution. This data on poverty levels shows that the people considered poor in the USA are those who are not able to meet the various economic need s. Moreover, these people also tend to live minimally when compared to the normal living standards. Additionally, the statistics indicate that poverty has also destabilized the USA economy. These statistics have also led to the federal government come up with measures of combating poverty. The data collected on poverty can be used to deal with this problem. Limited data on poverty can limit the monitoring of data on poverty. However, with this data, the federal government can be able to come with policies needed to handle these problems. Statistical analysis of poverty can be used to ensure that poverty eradication aid is allocated to the people who need it. Moreover, this data can be used to direct various investments to people who need it. This data can also be used in the implementation of short term and long term policies that can be used to fight poverty. This data can also be used in the identification of the beneficiaries of the various poverty elimination programs. The allocation of aid to people living in poverty can be an overwhelming task. However, through the use of statistical data, the government can be able to formulate guidelines that can be used to aid people living in poverty. The use of a single data source to deal with poverty is not effective. The use of diverse data helps in ensuring that the data to be used in dealing with this problem is credible. The use of different disciplines, in this case, will ensure that the data to be used for analysis is of quality. Accurate data, in this case, can be used in the development of accurate plans to handle the problem of poverty. Additionally, the use of different discipline will ensure that the policymakers are able to have a clear understanding of the aspect at hand. In conclusion, the use of different sources will also provide an in-depth analysis of poverty. This in return will help in better planning on how to eradicate poverty. The poverty measures that have been used to determine the poverty index in the USA has been a bone of contention. To start with the different aspects used to determine poverty tend to be confusing. The main approaches used are the threshold of poverty and the family income. To start with the definition of a family can be contradicting. A family is defined as people living in the same household. However, it is evident that the family has a broad definition. Most commonly, the family is defined as people who are related via the aspects of birth or marriage. In some instances, families consist of single parents, multiple parents and at times unrelated people residing together. Such aspects make it hard to measure poverty levels this concurs with the aspects presented in the film this is according to (DewiDewi. Whats Eating Gilbert Grape). It is evident that the use of such parameters to measure poverty levels does not put into consideration aspects such as pensions, social security, and taxes to name a few. The current approach used to measure poverty in the USA does not also include noncash benefits that individuals may be entitled to. Also, it does not put into consideration capital gains and aspects such as child support. The downfalls in this system have led to questions and contradictions. For this matter, it is evident that improvements should be done on this measure. The fact that poverty measures in the USA are valuable indicates that reforms should be implemented on the current approach. The measures should also be able to indicate the estimates used and how these estimates influence data interpretation. Poverty measures should mainly focus on income, earnings, and income inequality. These three approaches can be used to come up with an appropriate measure of rating poverty. The federal government can develop a number of policies that can best address the aspect of poverty. Having a sustainable economic growth is some of the vital factors that can be used to deal with poverty. Economic growth ensures that the general income in a community is able to increase. This results in the creation of employment opportunities. Increases in employment opportunities lead to an equal distribution of income in the society and thus leading to the reduction of poverty levels. However, care should be taken in order to ensure that economic growth does not widen the gap between the poor and the rich. This can only be achieved by ensuring that people living in poverty are empowered. The development of unemployment reduction policies can also help to deal with the problem of poverty. The development of such policies should mainly focus on empowering aspects such as free training for people who do not possess any skills. This can help such people provide both skilled and unskilled labor to the economy. These policies to reduce employment should focus on the minority groups and women. This is because these two groups are prone to poverty. Therefore, the policies should address specific geographical settings. This is because poverty is mainly associated with specific geographical positions. Moreover, planning to improve the infrastructure in such areas can also lead to the development of economic stimulus. On the other hand, the economic stimulus can help in the reduction of unemployment via the creation of employment opportunities. Employment can also be reduced via the implementation of monetary and fiscal policies. It is evident that reducing the interests rated and cutting on taxes can help in boosting the aggregate demand. The federal government should also introduce plans to make the labor markets more flexible. This will ensure that organizations are able to hire workers easily without facing a lot of setbacks generated by federal regulations. Implementation of progressive taxation policies can also help deal with poverty. Progressive taxation helps to ensure that people who have a high income are taxed more when compared to those who earn a merge income. Progressive taxation helps to reduce the gap between the rich and the poor. This ensures that there is equality in the generation of national income. Additionally, progressive taxation also helps to ensure that welfare organizations are exempted from taxation. Through this such organizations can be in a better position of empowering the poor people. Increasing the national minimum wage would be effective in eradicating poverty. This is because the low paid employees will be able to receive more wages and thus helping to cap the wage inequality. However, the implementation of such a policy will require to follow a well-formulated plan. This is because increasing the national minimum wage would result in companies employing fewer people due to the fact that they may be unable to afford labor. In such a case, the government can opt to reduce taxation on companies that tend to employ people at meager wages. Currently, education in the USA is very expensive. This means that a lot of people are not able to pursue their education to their satisfaction. Subsidizing public services such as education can allow many people to access education. This means that a lot of potentials that could have been lost is tapped. Moreover, people can have a chance to become successful in life by investing in their own education. Creating success opportun ities for the less fortunate can help in eradicating poverty. The healthcare industry has also been experiencing a lot of problems. These problems have made it impossible for people living in poverty to access quality healthcare services. This means that such people spend more on their healthcare since they are not in a position to afford healthcare insurance (Ferman, Louis, Joyce, Kornbluh, and Alan, 119). Subsidizing on the cost of healthcare can help such people reduce the amount of money that they spend on their healthcare. The money can alternatively be used in the development of income generating programs. Moreover, spending less money on their health care means that they will have enough to look after themselves and their families. Subsidizing the cost of healthcare will require effective planning. That is the government can develop policies that will allow people to purchase health care premiums based on their income. Lastly, the government should also establish universal basic income. This can be used to ensure that people are able to benefit from government funding despite their income. However, the implementation of such policies should ensure that there are no disincentives that may be associated with such a policy. In conclusion, poverty is a serious problem that requires well-established plans and policies in order to be eradicated in the USA. Works Cited DewiDewi. Whats Eating Gilbert Grape Full,MovieOn-line. Full,MovieOn-line. July 12 2018. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VolcME18olM. Ferman, Louis A., Joyce L. Kornbluh, and Alan Haber. Poverty in America; a book of readings. (1968).

Beyond the Divide Book Report Essay - 828 Words

Book Report BEYOND THE DIVIDE By: Kathryn Lasky The reason I chose this book is because it is about a different culture and a different life than of anyone I know. Beyond the Divide is about a young Amish girl who felt suffocated living in the Amish community. Meribah Simon had grown up in the Amish community and the strict rules of the community felt like walls closing in around her. Her father had been shunned by the elders of the community and when Meribah found out that her father was leaving to join the gold rush she decided to go with him. On the trip to California there were many good times and just as many bad; if not more. On the journey she and her father were traveling with a group of people that were going to†¦show more content†¦When some time had passed Meribah’s father had gotten a wound from helping someone fix something. 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Essay on Cultural Anthropology Culture And Religion Essay Example For Students

Essay on Cultural Anthropology : Culture And Religion Essay Cultural anthropology has taught me a lot in such a short time. This class has been very eye opening to me and has made me think more about the different cultures around me and just how important it is to learn about them. One of the things I have learned is how religion is related to culture. Culture is behaviors of a community such as the food they make, the music they listen to, and the rituals they take part in. This can be very similar to religion because a culture is based off of their religious beliefs. Some cultures do not eat pig because it is against their religious beliefs. Some cultures listen to particular songs because it is based off of their religious beliefs. Another thing cultures relate closely to is languages. Without language a culture cannot be passed down because there is no way to tell of the cultures ways. For instance many native american rituals have been lost because they were written in languages that now, not even the elders know how to speak. This is why language and religion are both very important aspect of culture. One down side of having so many different cultures and religious beliefs in ethnocentrism. Ethnocentrism is the belief that ones group is superior based off of language,behavior, customs, and religion. You see this everyday especially in America. America is awful when it comes to equality. Especially the group of white americans who believe that everyone should speak english because english is a â€Å"superior† language. America does not have a national language or religion because it is supposed to be the land of freedom and equality but that does not stop all of the ethnocentrism we see. People who express ethnocentrism are very judgmental. In all reality there are so many different relig. . has given me significant insight about people all over the world. At first I thought this class was stupid and I didn t get why I needed to take it. My major is social work why would cultural anthropology relate to me? But in all reality this class out of all my prerequisite will help me out the most. In social work it is important for me to be able to relate to the family. If I do not understand their religion and culture it could be very hard for me to do my job and help the family. Every culture has a different family structures and traditions that could be crucial to know about when it comes to solving their problems. What the american culture seems as wrong another culture might see it as okay and that is very important to look at. This class has taught me that learning about other cultures is important and I am excited to study more about these other cultures.

Other Island Named Cuba Essays - CubaUnited States Relations

Other Island Named Cuba The Other Island Named Cuba Getting ready for landing was a new experience this time. Although I have flown to many places on many different size planes, this landing was different. I could see the houses and buildings below. The cars and people were like ants moving around. This is actually the typical site from the window seat of any plane that is about to land. To me it was very different. We were about to touch ground in Havana, Cuba. The place where my parents were born, raised and educated. This was also the place where my parents were married and had their first child, and also, the place they had to flee from in order to continue practicing their beliefs. I was arriving to my roots. A place that my family hadn't seen in forty years. I would be the first of my blood to set foot on that island since 1959. It is important to understand why my family fled their country while many others stayed behind. My Grandfather was Chief Justice of the Supreme Court during that time. His position and that of his family was in threat of political injustices from the Castro Regime. In order to avoid this from occurring, my Grandfather had my family fly out first (at the time it was still possible without too much questioning) and then he was given political asylum in the Argentinean Embassy. Once the plane touched down I felt both excited and scared. In the passed I was told stories that if anyone of us ever visited Cuba, that there was danger of us being held prisoner because of who our parents and grandparents were. This obviously concerned me since my purpose for the travel was merely to have the opportunity to see where my roots were from. I was also concerned because I was traveling with my wife who is of British decent, and regardless of the fact that she speaks fluent Spanish, could also get in trouble just by being with me. It was quite funny to see and hear people talking with the same accent and slang that I was brought up with. All I could think to myself was...'my God, this is where it all comes from My wife was also intrigued to hear the Cuban people express themselves. Once we were out on the tour bus and heading towards our hotel, it suddenly hit us... we had traveled into the past. Every vehicle, building, street and sidewalk was either exactly the way it was forty years prior or in most cases, in a forty year deteriorated state. Nonetheless, it was amazing to see cars, trucks and busses of the 50's traveling all around us. It was like being in an old movie and we were the main characters. Once we arrived at our hotel, that image shifted slightly. Most touristic hotels are either new or refurbished to look new in order to attract tourism. The ironic... no... painful reality of all this, is that the Cuban citizens are not allowed to enter the premises of any hotel in Cuba. It doesn't even end there. They are not even allowed to enter restaurants, bars, or nightclubs, regardless of whether they have U.S. currency or not. It's just because they are Cuban. This to me was the absolute kick in the face. It's like if one night I decided to go to TGIF in Miami (which is where I was born and raised) and they stopped me at the door (no courtesy included), and tell me that I should know better than to try and go into the restaurant... that I should know that all US Citizens are barred from eating at a nice place. It is strictly for tourist he would say. Anyone listening to a story like that would think my elevator didn't go to the top floor. Well, it is exactly that way in Cuba t oday and has been that way for about thirty to thirty-five years. This was not the reason for my traveling here. I was here to learn about MY roots, my people, and my family. By day two, we had met up with a very nice man by the name