Running Head: Poverty in the United States

Cause and Effect of Poverty in the United States and How to Prevent the Issue
Alejandro Naez
Ruby Pappoe
University of Texas at El Paso

Poverty in the United States

Background
Poverty is a big deal in the United States that is affecting more people than it should.
Poverty is an issue that is recognized globally, and we as humans must help out to end or simply
reduce poverty as much as we can. Poverty can happen to anyone and there exists multiple
reasons why it can happen. Reasons would include: lack of income, source of income is barely
enough to support family, and income inequality; just to name a few of the many. No individual
should struggle with a job and barely have enough money to support themselves or their family.
In many cases people look down on people on the streets who are dealing with poverty. We are
all humans and should help one another out if possible. In my experiences, people dealing with
poverty tend to be the humblest group of individuals you may have a conversation with. Which
leads me to want to help them out in any way possible and help them to be financially stable
which will also help in the safety of their physical and mental health.
Statement of purpose
The objective I wish to accomplish in the research of this issue would be to inform others
how serious poverty can be on an individual, and if we all work together we can reduce poverty
to a minimum. We as humans should help out others struggling with poverty because a lack of
income may cause multiple heath issues; both physically and mentally. In doing research on this
issue, I intend on learning what we as a community can do to reduce poverty in the United
States. No single individual deserves to have a lack of income to support themselves, while
others have it easy. Poverty can happen to anyone, and if it were to happen to you, you would be
appreciative of the efforts people put out to help you get back on your feet.
Significance of Topic

Poverty in the United States

This topic is important because many people here in the United states deal with poverty.
On our daily commute to work or school we will most likely see an individual at a street
intersection doing anything they can to make some money. The reason I would like to research
this topic is not only to inform myself on how serious the issue is and what I can do to reduce it,
but how I can inform others on the issue and how we can work together to reduce poverty. The
information I will research will help my audience have a clear understanding on how poverty can
happen, the effects it has on individuals, and possible fixes for the issue.
Annotated Bibliography
Berliner, D. C. (2013). Inequality, Poverty, and the Socialization of America's Youth for the
Responsibilities of Citizenship. Theory Into Practice, 52(3), 203-209.
doi:10.1080/00405841.2013.804314
This source gives us information on income inequality, and youth in poverty. The article
also mentions the health and social problems that appear to individuals that suffer from poverty.
Learning to be a good citizen is a difficult task for low income individuals where as it is easier
for wealthy people. The articles main focus is the fact the poverty can contribute to multiple
problems an individual may face. These problems simplified include lack of help for mental and
physical help which can lead to things such as drug use.
By Rebecca Vallas and Melissa Boteach | Wednesday, September 17, 2014. (n.d.).
The Top 10 Solutions to Cut Poverty and Grow the Middle Class. Retrieved October 08, 2016,
from https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/poverty/news/2014/09/17/97287/the-top-10solutions-to-cut-poverty-and-grow-the-middle-class/
This source contains 10 possible solutions to cut poverty. This article will be used in my
research on ways for us to potentially decrease poverty in the United States. There are many

Poverty in the United States

solutions to poverty, but solutions are easier said than done. The articles possible solutions
include: creating jobs, raising the minimum wage to a living wage, and establishing work
schedules that work for people; just to name a few. If we implement these possible solutions, we
are bound to reduce poverty.
Causes of Poverty in America. (n.d.). Retrieved October 08, 2016, from
http://www.pursuegod.org/causes-of-poverty-in-america/
This article gives the reader an idea of how poverty is caused, thus leading us to have a
better understanding of the issue. Just like the possible solutions, there are multiple ways one
may end up living in poverty. Some examples used in this article include: poor economy, drug
use, and lack of affordable housing; along with many others in the list. One persons cause of
poverty may not be on the list from this article. As there are multiple ways one can end up in
poverty, and it can happen to anyone.
Nagel, A. D. (2010). Poverty and The Effects on Children and Parents. Retrieved October 08,
2016, from http://www.education.com/reference/article/poverty-effects-children-parents/
This article talks about the effects poverty may have on parents and their children. Many
people think poverty only effects the people who have the lack of income, but it can drastically
effect their family they are struggling to support. Children whose parents face poverty are twice
as likely to have growth issues than that of a child living under normal circumstances. Poverty
has drastic effects on children including lack of a good education. The effects on the parents may
be worse depending on your view of the matter. Parents struggling to raise their children due to
poverty tend to deal with anxiety, depression, and irritability. Struggling with poverty is hard
enough, but when you are trying to support a family on this situation you will have some difficult
times.

Poverty in the United States

Poverty and brain development. (2015). Archives of Disease in Childhood, 100(10), 959.
doi:10.1136/archdischild-2015This article talks about the effects that poverty may have on brain development. It shows
that people who deal with poverty tend to have lower developmental scores. Poverty also
impacts ones ability to learn new things and adds volume of gray matter in the brain. This
makes perfect sense since poverty leads to a lack of medical attention. Both physical and mental
health is difficult to maintain when you lack the resources to get help.
Poverty Facts | Poverty Rate, Poverty Thresholds & Census Information. (n.d.). Retrieved
October 08, 2016, from http://www.povertyusa.org/the-state-of-poverty/poverty-facts/
This article gives us brief facts on poverty in the United States. For example, the article
tells us who lives in poverty in the United States. The article also gives us facts on seniors and
children living in poverty. Also the article tells us what poverty by ethnicity is. Lastly, this
article gives a summary of the economics of poverty.
Smith, R. (2013). Preventing Poverty. Policy & Practice (19426828), 71(4), 6-38.
The author of this article talks about the prevention of poverty in the United States. The
author suggests that the government should work with the cause of poverty rather than the effects
of poverty. The article suggest that good education should be available to people in poverty as
well as, public transportation, and housing. These solutions make clear sense and help us
understand how we can actually prevent poverty. The ideas expressed from this article give us a
greater understanding on possible solutions to the problem of poverty.