Poverty A Short Primer

Defining Poverty The poverty threshold is set by the U.S. Office of Budget Management. Current Poverty Guidelines 1 $10,830 2 $14,570 3 $18,310 4 $22,050 (Each additional person in a family equals approximately $3,740 added to the total.)

Defining Poverty (cont.) “A chronic and debilitating condition that results from multiple adverse synergistic risk factors that impact the mind, body, and soul.”

Situational Poverty Caused by sudden crisis like environmental disasters, divorce, or severe health problems. Often temporary

Generational Poverty Occurs in situations where at least two generations of a family have been born into poverty. Individuals in this situation do not have the resources to move out of their situations

Absolute Poverty A scarcity of necessities like water, shelter, and food. Families living in absolute poverty can only focus on day-to-day survival. This is rare in the United States.

Relative Poverty Occurs when a family’s economic status is insufficient to meet society’s average standard of living. An example of this would be a high school teacher living in Beverly Hills.

Urban Poverty Occurs in metropolitan areas with a population above 50,000 people. Deal with chronic and acute stressors like crowding, violence, and noise. Dependent on often-inadequate large city services (i.e. transportation, social services, etc.)

Rural Poverty Occurs in nonmetropolitan areas with populations under 50,000 people. Often marked by a high number of single-guardian households. Less access to service, support for disabilities, and quality educational opportunities. Few programs to encourage transition from welfare to work.

Sources Department of Health and Human Services http://aspe.hhs.gov/poverty/10poverty.shtml Jensen, Eric. Teaching With Poverty in Mind. ASCD: Alexandria, VA, 2009.