Session 6

Who:
Recent reports have shown that one in seven Americans still live in poverty. That statistic should make a bold enough statement on its own. Just by knowing that there are millions of people in America, there are thousands maybe even millions of people to this day living in poverty. Also, those who do not even have a high school degree are more likely to be poor than those with a high school degree or a Bachelors' degree. Women are also more likely to be in poverty than men. From reading the articles, many individuals who live in Mississippi and now Georgia are poor. Poverty extends beyond just the homeless but to those who have been the working middle class.



Why:
The continuing rise in unemployment is a big factor of the cause of poverty. When people lose their jobs, they have no other income to support themselves or their family. Losing your source of income can alter your life completely. With the way the economy has been, it makes it that much harder for individuals to find new work. Not to mention, going from a good job to a low paying job. Low paying jobs do not pay enough to keep families out of poverty. The longer your in poverty, the harder it is to get out!


How well addressed:
Obviously, if the poverty in Georgia has increased and one in seven Americans are poor, then the issue must not be addressed too well. More effort needs to be put into letting the world know about these horrible statistics. Americans need to be more educated about poverty. We are more likely too see those affected by a natural disaster on television than those here in on backyard who are starving for food and need a place to sleep.


What's should be done:
I agree with the idea of equal opportunity and income. Every one deserves the same opportunity or chance to try to succeed in life. When one person has an advantage over the other, then most likely the top dog will always come out on top. This just makes the underdog (in this case the poor individual) have to try that much harder to get out of poverty. Anything that will help minimize the number of individuals who are poor is a goo idea to me.