Rising Levels of Poverty in the United States
June 20, 2004 – The poverty rate in the United States has risen over the past two years. Over 34.6 million people in the United States–one out of every eight Americans–are poor according to the official government definition. This is 12.1% of our population. Each day they lack sufficient diet, live in inadequate housing, and miss out on basic medical care. One in five children under the age of six in this country is poor. A higher proportion of U.S. children live in poverty than do children in France, Germany, Sweden, Canada, Australia and Japan.
Children represent 43% of the 34.9 million Americans who on any given day do not know where their next meal is coming from, despite federal school lunch programs that provide kids with free or reduced-price breakfasts and lunches. When children miss meals, says nutrition experts, their behavior changes and their concentration weakens. That results in disturbances in school and failing grades for some. And during the summer, when school lunch is unavailable, children suffer the most.
* * *
Discussion Questions
A foundational principle of Catholic Social Teaching is the option for the poor. To make an option for the poor is to commit oneself to resisting the injustice, oppression, exploitation, and marginalization of people, problems that permeate so many aspects of public life. The option for the poor is a commitment to transforming society into a place where human rights and the dignity of all are respected. What values of American culture oppose the option for the poor?
The federal government says that a family of four making $18,392/year is living in poverty. How far do you think you could stretch $18,392 to cover your family’s expenses? What would you have to give up? (Take the Catholic Campaign for Human Development’s Poverty USA Tour to learn more.)
The federal minimum wage is $5.15/hour, and yet someone working 40 hours/week would earn less than $11,000/year. How do full-time minimum-wage workers provide for their families? How do these workers suffer? How do their children suffer? What are some possible long-term effects of poverty on children?
A federally mandated minimum wage that does not allow full-time workers to meet their basic needs is an example of structural injustice. What are some other examples of structural injustices (found in institutions and legal, social and economic structures) that work against the poor and vulnerable?
In his encyclical Centesimus Annus, Pope John Paul II states that “Love for others, and especially for the poor, is made concrete by promoting justice” (#58). How can we promote a more just economic system in the United States?
Has the plight of the domestic poor been a big issue in recent speeches given by presidential candidates? Why do you think little attention is given to the issues of the impoverished? How can we hold our elected leaders accountable to the needs of our impoverished brothers and sisters?
* * *
Prayer for the Work Against Poverty
Christ, who showed great compassion to the poor,
give us compassion toward those in poverty.
Your wish is for all your children to live with dignity,
with adequate food, shelter, health care and education.
Help us take up your work as a community of faith
and guide us as we seek just solutions to the child poverty in our midst.
Amen.
Tags: Poverty Analysis