Poverty

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 * 1) Summarize the "Historical Perspective" of this issue. (see timeline at the bottom of pages 910 - 911 as well).
 * 2) What are the causes of poverty?
 * 3) What role does education play in helping people climb out of poverty?
 * 4) What has federal welfare reform accomplished?


 * __Answers:__ **


 * 1.** The Great Depression of the 1930s was the most widespread poverty that led the government to begin new programs such as 1935 Social Security Act which helped retired people over 65 years of age and poor people by creating a pension fund or offering government aid. In the 1960s, President Johnson declared War on Poverty as expanded education, training, and financial aid for the poor which made the proportion of people living below the poverty level decreased from 20% in 1962 to 11% in 1973. However, the rise of poverty level dramatically reappeared in 2003 with 539 million Americans lived below the poverty line.

- Limited access to child care. - Public education system has not succeeded in helping people climb out of poverty. - Discrimination against racial minorities.
 * 2.** - Lack of housing and skilled workers.


 * 3.** Education plays a very important in helping people climb out the poverty. It trains unskilled workers to become professional, improves people's understanding in work habits, how to apply their knowledge in work efficiently. Moreover, education teaches people about their rights of being workers such as safe working conditions, health insurance, and reasonable wage.

- The federal government encouraged businesses to hire people who receive welfare by giving them tax three benefits: tax credits, wage subsidies, and establishment of enterprise zones. - Charitable Choice Act was passed in 2001 to help the needy. President Bush supported time limits on welfare to encourage welfare recipients to get jobs, attend schools, or train for work.
 * 4.** - In 1996, Congress passed Personal Responsibility and Work Reconciliation Act which meant to first gave aid to the poor then encouraged them to work to feed themselves; they could not always depend on help.



[|Institute for Research on Poverty] [|National Poverty Center]

By: Tram-Anh Pham