Each year for the past two decades, the U.S. Census Bureau has reported that over 30 million Americans were living in “poverty.” In recent years, the Census has reported that one in seven Americans are poor. But what does it mean to be “poor” in America? How poor are America’s poor?
For most Americans, the word “poverty” suggests destitution: an inability to provide a family with nutritious food, clothing, and reasonable shelter. For example, the Poverty Pulse poll taken by the Catholic Campaign for Human Development asked the general public: “How would you describe being poor in the U.S.?” The overwhelming majority of responses focused on homelessness, hunger or not being able to eat properly, and not being able to meet basic needs.[1] That perception is bolstered by news stories about poverty that routinely feature homelessness and hunger.
Yet if poverty means lacking nutritious food, adequate warm housing, and clothing for a family, relatively few of the more than 30 million people identified as being “in poverty” by the Census Bureau could be characterized as poor.[2] While material hardship definitely exists in the United States, it is restricted in scope and severity. The average poor person, as defined by the government, has a living standard far higher than the public imagines.
- The typical poor household, as defined by the government, has a car and air conditioning, two color televisions, cable or satellite TV, a DVD player, and a VCR. If there are children, especially boys, the family has a game system, such as an Xbox or PlayStation.
- In the kitchen, the household has a refrigerator, an oven and stove, and a microwave. Other household conveniences include a clothes washer, clothes dryer, ceiling fans, a cordless phone, and a coffee maker.
- The home of the typical poor family is in good repair and is not overcrowded. In fact, the typical average poor American has more living space in his home than the average (non-poor) European has.
- By its own report, the typical poor family was not hungry, was able to obtain medical care when needed, and had sufficient funds during the past year to meet all essential needs.
Read the rest here.
If you enjoy the content at iBankCoin, please follow us on Twitter
A few years back I ran an employment program for people living in government subsidized housing. Upon visiting these complexes the first thing that stuck out to me was the amount of satellite TV. EVERYONE had it. I know we all waste money on something, but this was absurd.
Interesting article. I wonder how the expansion of credit plays into these figures ?
For those having trouble spotting poverty:
http://flatrock.org.nz/topics/odds_and_oddities/ultimate_in_unfair.htm
nwo,thats what is called a systemic genocide,and not a deliberate one as can be viewed by some.
woodshedder,in that whole piece, nowhere does it say, in dollars earned per month,year what the poverty line is. and materialistic objects that are owned, or given at some point in time of ones life does not constitute a part of poverty.its like me saying,look, that person is using food stamps while chatting on the cell phone.it makes no sense,even section eight housing requires a stove and a refridge. a family of four making less than 19k a year are considered poverty level. as a single person it’s less than 12. the last time i checked these #’s thru the dept of labor, a while back, i dont think its changed much.
your a small minded coward
Fuck poor people.
LMAO go2′
That interesting article would not be politically correct in many circles. Our culture has produced a sense of boundless entitlement matched only by our love of credit. My lovely girl friend is a fine example, and her reaction to possible loss of cable tv, etc. drives my belief that things will get really bad in this country if real economic depression happens. People will riot if their toys are taken away.
It is noted, that lower income people CHOSE to spend their money (or borrow it) to buy these things. The wealthy ruling class can fairly be blamed for many things, but not for the stupidity of other people.
The ‘smart’ poor game the system as well as the wealthy. The dollar amount of the dishonesty is different.
Allow me to re-frame the issue: The Heritage Foundation’s mission is to insure that poverty in the United States is defined as destitution. In their words: “the word “poverty” suggests destitution: an inability to provide a family with nutritious food, clothing, and reasonable shelter.”
Yogi, that is the point. We allow policies to be developed and our emotions to be played based on the idea of people being poor. In reality, their basic needs are met. As such, there are very few people in this country that are truly destitute. Yet you would not know this by listening to the politicians or the media.