The Roots of Juvenile Delinquency Poverty and Economics

Family Poverty In California Federal Poverty Level for a family of four = $23,000 16% of California Families fall under this definition of poverty Adding cost of living differences – California’s poverty exceeds 23%

Impact of Poverty on Children More health problems Less likely to enter school ready to learn Less likely to graduate from high school More likely to be involved in the juvenile and criminal justice systems

Causes of Poverty Lack of employment Inadequate wages High cost of living Inadequate housing Limited transportation Limited educational opportunities Limited access to child care Inadequate social safety net

California Poverty and Government Programs Map of Poverty in California by County Impact of government programs on poverty

Social Class A group of individuals or families who occupy a similar position in the economic system of production, distribution and consumption of goods and services.

Significance of Social Class Typically defined by occupation Determines income and wealth Determines social status, upward mobility, job stability etc.… Determines an individuals place within the social hierarchy Impacts children’s life opportunities and upward mobility

Adam Smith: Wealth of Nations ‘Wherever there is great property, there is great inequality. For one rich man, there must be at least five hundred poor, and the affluence of the rich supposes the indigence of the many’

Economics and Income Inequality Means of production in the hands of the few (factories, land, buildings, money) Goal is to produce surplus (profit) Profit margins are higher if salaries are kept low Executives and owners strive to keep salaries low to increase profits Increase profits creates wealth When profits are not shared among producers (workers), wealth becomes concentrated among the few at the top Concentration of wealth and obsessive drive for profit leads to worker exploitation and accelerated income inequality

Changes in the economy of the decline of high wage manufacturing jobs

Major Changes in the U.S. Economy Technological globalization of the economy movement of capital (capital flight) shift from manufacturing to information and services (from high wage to low)

Regulating Income Inequality Government Policy Labor Unions/Collective Bargaining

Disproportionate Impact of Income Inequality on Communities of Color: The African American Example African Americans employed in manufacturing after World War II (auto, steel, rubber, chemical) Unemployment rate in1953: Whites = 4.6% African Americans = 8.5 Unemployment rate in 1964 Whites = 5.9% African Americans = 12.4% Movement of manufacturing jobs to suburbs leaving Black population in urban settings Jeremy Rifkin End of Work

Poverty Rates Approximately 14% of Americans live under the official poverty level Poverty rate for African Americans is 25% in total and 35% for those under 18

Family Structure and Poverty National Center for Fathering

Other impacts of poverty Social isolation Segregation Destabilized families

Poverty and Juvenile Justice Sturdy Beggars Pauper classes Dangerous classes Undeserving Poor Under Class

Poverty by Race/Ethnicity

Poverty and Delinquency Public assistance economy Illegal economy

Crime and Poverty