The “Face” of Poverty in the South Tim Slack Louisiana State University Prepared for Turning the Tide on Poverty Workshop A Partnership of the Southern Rural Development Center (SRDC), Everyday Democracy, Farm Foundation, and Kettering Foundation

Introduction Conceptualizing poverty Measuring poverty The contours of poverty in the South

Conceptualizing Poverty Absolute poverty: Minimum basic needs standard determined, those living below that level defined as poor Relative poverty: Condition of comparative disadvantage in reference to standard of living of others

Conceptualizing Poverty Levels: Individual to global Systems: Families, schools, judicial/law enforcement, civic arena… Basis of deprivation: Income, wealth, material hardship, social exclusion…

Measuring Poverty Official U.S. poverty measure is absolute, income-based, and defined at the family- level Poverty thresholds vary depending on:  Family size  Ages of family members

Poverty Thresholds for 2008 by Size of Family and Number of Related Children Under 18 Years

Measuring Poverty Thresholds based on a “market basket of goods”  Adjusted annually for inflation (CPI) Thresholds do not adjust for…  Geographic differences in cost of living  Non-cash transfer payments

Poverty in the South South has long been the poorest region of the United States  Legacy of rigid class and racial caste systems and less industrial economy “Pockets” of persistent regional poverty nearly all in South  Central Appalachia, Black Belt, Delta, Lower Rio Grande Valley

Poverty in the South What does the “face” of poverty look like in the South?

Share of poor ages by work status, 2000 Source: 2000 March Current Population Survey

Share of poor householders by marital status, 2000 Source: 2000 March Current Population Survey

Share of poor ages by educational attainment, 2000 Source: 2000 March Current Population Survey

Share of poor by race/ethnicity, 2000 Source: 2000 March Current Population Survey

Share of poor by metro/nonmetro residence, 2000 Source: 2000 March Current Population Survey

In Sum Poverty is an especially pernicious problem in the South Product of historical and contemporary social realities But as with all social realities change is possible given collective will and action

Poverty Thresholds for 2008 by Size of Family and Number of Related Children Under 18 Years