Running head: CAUSES OF POVERTY IN AMERICA

Causes of Poverty in America

Parker B. Hague
Mrs. Disher
December 17, 2014

CAUSES OF POVERTY IN AMERICA

2
Abstract

This paper is about the causes and effects of poverty in America. Poverty can destroy a
community. It causes bad habits and can lead to killing diseases. There are many factors that go
into why Poverty is alive. Poverty can not be easily prevented it would take much work from the
government and the citizens. There are many causes of poverty. These causes are difficult to
recognize but the root causes are to be found in human nature. Whether it is absolute or relative
poverty people refer to in any particular argument or conversation, there are certain general
causes of poverty. This paper list the types of poverty and how they each individually effect
America. Poverty is when you can not afford food or shelter.

Keywords: Poverty, Community, absolute, relative, government, citizens, habits.

CAUSES OF POVERTY IN AMERICA

Causes of Poverty in America

Why poverty is existent
There are many reasons why poverty is on earth and in America like Greed, Fear,
Corruption, Power, Prejudice and injustice. Greed is when someone wants a fair amount of
resources. Fear is when people are scared of others different from themselves and they believe
others will have a negative impact on their life. Corruption involves the government and them
abusing their own powers to effect the people they work for. Some other reasons are Family
breakdown, natural disasters. (Hari Srinivas, 2/15/07)

Causes of Poverty
Poverty is explained by individual circumstances and/or characteristics of poor
people. If you do not have a good amount of education, skill, experience, and intelligence then it
will be hard for you to make money in the modern world. without good health you cant do
anything much either

Income
If you do not have a steady constant income then you can not pay off bills, food
and taxes. If you have children and are trying to pay off the school you just graduated from then
you will need more money to pay for these extras. In todays world finding a good paying fun job
that doesn't kill you is hard. this is a main cause for poverty because people are not prepared to
find a job and hold that steady income.

Effects of Poverty

CAUSES OF POVERTY IN AMERICA

Poverty prevents Americans from buying healthy food -(Nick Westbury, UK, 9/14/12)
Poverty is one of the biggest contributors to poor health and in low income
communities. Without money you are forced to live off of food stamps or
purchase factory made food from fast food restaurants this can lead to obesity
and other dangerous diseases. According to an Economic Research Service
(ERS) report for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 11.5 million Americans are
both poor and live in low-income areas over a mile away from a supermarket that
offers healthier food variety. On average, food stamp beneficiaries live about 1.8
miles away from a grocery store. And without cars and public transportation
people chose the easier way by just going to the fast food restaurant across the
street.

Economic insecurity has consequences for both physical and mental health.
People who don't make as much money tend to have high blood pressure, cholesterol, and
become obese or diabetic, since long-term stress creates hormones that compromise the immune
system and let you gain weight.

Poor people are more likely to smoke.

Research shows that smokers tend to be lower-income and less educated Americans. The
people who grow up in these lower income neighborhoods tend to pick up this unhealthy habit
from there friends and elders. Studies show this is a result from economic stress. Economic

CAUSES OF POVERTY IN AMERICA

strains may shape an individuals capacity for self-control by diminishing opportunities for selfregulation, or affecting important brain structures wrote lead author Dr. Bernard Fuemmeler, an
associate professor in Community and Family Medicine at Duke University School of Medicine.

Conclusion
There are many causes of poverty. These causes are difficult to recognize but the
root causes are to be found in human nature. Humans have an amazing capacity for selflessness
but the root causes are still to be found in fear, greed, and prejudice.

References

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Causes and Results of Poverty. (2012, June 12). Retrieved December 15, 2014, from
http://georgedowdell.org/2012/06/12/causes-and-results-of-poverty/

Causes of Poverty. (n.d.). Retrieved December 15, 2014, from

http://www.gdrc.org/sustdev/causes-poverty.html

Four Ways That Poverty Hurts Americans Long-Term Health. (n.d.). Retrieved December 15, 2014, from
http://thinkprogress.org/health/2013/07/30/2381471/four-ways-poverty-impactsamericans-health/

POVERTY-TOP THREE CAUSES. (2011, October 13). Retrieved December 15, 2014, from
https://economybuilding.wordpress.com/2011/10/13/poverty-top-three-causes/

Top 10 Things You Should Know About Poverty in America | BillMoyers.com. (2012, July 18). Retrieved
December 15, 2014, from
http://billmoyers.com/2012/07/18/top-10-things-you-should-know-about-poverty-in-america/