Poverty In our World Today

How to End Poverty

April 18th, 2022

 

People who suffer the consequences of poverty are seen all throughout America. The official poverty rate in 2020 was 11.4 percent, up 1.0 percentage point from 10.5 percent in 2019. You cannot resist the guilt of feeling privileged when you walk/drive past an individual begging for financial freedom. Most Indvidual's have had that awkward encounter of driving by a homeless individual with a sign pleading for financial help. Since they need the most help the best solution is to have a conversation with them first to get to know them and try to figure out their true intentions. The most conflicting interest is that some homeless people beg for money for drugs but others need it for survival. 

I encountered an individual living in poverty myself. His name was Johnny, and he has been hanging around my local Sunco as long as I can remember. This past week Jonny and I have discussed creating a fundraiser to raise money for homeless shelters and food for people on the streets. However, it is almost impossible to get everyone out of poverty. My goal right now is to clear people off the streets of my old hometown. Since I am in school right now Johnny currently is working on most of the projects with his friends that still currently live in poverty. By the end of 2022 he wants to get multiple food trucks for the homeless shelter that he visits every day. Johnny was the best person that I could have met to help prevent this problem because he has been in the situation and is one of the hardest workers I have ever met. Another goal of mine that I have seen celebrities do is set up a fundraiser for the young homeless and schools that need money. Children that live in poverty towns and cities do not get the same education as wealthier schools because of access to resources. I believe that all children should get the same education no matter if their families tax bracket. Each year child who suffers from poverty reduces our GDP by 1.2 percent, which costs the United States 500 billion dollars (about $1,500 per person in the US). A lot of potential is being wasted in the children that are born into poverty as they are not getting the best education they need and most of them tend to be smarter than wealthy children. A study showed that 8 out of 10 millionaires came from families that were below middle-class income level. I believe that people that suffer from poverty deserve an equal education and access to opportunities compared to individuals who grew up in a wealthy environment. 

People who grow up in a wealthy environment are supplied with endless education and networks opportunities because of their background. Not only is their wealth an advantage but their family connections as well. The people who suffer from poverty not only deal with the lack of wealth but the lack of family support as well. People who must deal with the disadvantages of poverty have to encounter the lack of necessities as well, like household ideals of food, family, and education values. The success of a person relies on simply their connections and education, and this explains the reasoning behind the unemployment of lower-class individuals. It is more difficult for someone to pursue a career or make a realistic income unless they have a proper education or social ladder to climb to their benefit. 

I believe if the systems of housing for the homeless were less cutthroat and more welcoming to families and sprouting opportunities it would be more helpful to the poor. Most homeless shelters have certain requirements and close at earlier times making it difficult for single working mothers or others struggling in tricky situations that do not meet certain requirements. Most people who work under the poverty line must work absurd hours and cannot make the deadlines of shelters. Shelters are supposed to be a reliable backup plan for people living in poverty but sometimes it seems almost impossible to even enter. Shelters need to be made more available and provide resources for their guests. They should provide educational lessons for the younger children who are not provided with the best education. Not only should there be lessons for the children but for parents who were never taught about basic adult requirements. For example, paying a mortage, paying taxes, raising children, and etc anyway to improve as an adult in a low income environment.