1. The Roots of Juvenile Delinquency
Poverty and Economics

2. 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%

3. 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

4. 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

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

6. 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.

7. 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

8. 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’

9. 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

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

14. 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)

15. Regulating Income Inequality
Government Policy
Labor Unions/Collective Bargaining

16. 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

17. 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

18. Family Structure and Poverty National Center for Fathering

19. Other impacts of poverty
Social isolation
Segregation
Destabilized families

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

21. Poverty by Race/Ethnicity

22. Poverty and Delinquency
Public assistance economy
Illegal economy

23. Crime and Poverty