Those Near Poverty

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   ADenton84posted 14 years ago

   I'm reading a book called "The Missing Class: Portraits of the Near Poor in America" and I'm writing an article about the premise of the book and the American economic situation in general.  I'm interested in feedback/information/ideas from others.  I don't always check the forums please respond in an email.  Thanks in advance

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2. 66

   Flightkeeperposted 14 years ago

   If you're near poverty, would you have a computer?

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      Rafiniposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      sure, why not?
      
      I was unemployed when I bought my laptop, and I had no income. (I used my tax return)  and I'm still unemployed but am now receiving unemployment benefits.
      
      Not everyone who has money can manage it well and not everyone who manages money well has enough money.

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   2. 61

      ADenton84posted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Poverty isn't a permanent condition.  Upward mobility is always a possibility.  Also take into consideration that those who are near poverty are the most likely to abuse credit and therefore, just might have a computer

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      1. 66

         Flightkeeperposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         Okay, so that's a different definition of poverty. I guess you're looking at whole lot of people who lost their jobs or their businesses in the last couple of years and probably lost their house and are renting.

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3. 66

   Flightkeeperposted 14 years ago

   Well, I don't think you're near poverty, you're just unemployed. I always thought of poverty as more of a permanent condition, meaning that you don't have any food or money to pay your rent or utilities and you're living on the edge.

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4. 68

   Ms Chievousposted 14 years ago

   Flight keeper .. You would be very surprised how much the poverty striken enjoy their entertainment.  Sometimes the poor may not have enough to eat but you will find they have playstations, DVD players satelite dishes, computers ect.  This does not  mean they are not poor..
   I have seen people near the povery line get income taxes or social security checks and go on spending sprees

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   1. 66

      Flightkeeperposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I guess that's what confuses me.  Are they really poor if they're able to buy an xbox and the cartridges? It seems as if welfare make the poor so comfortable nowadays that they can choose between eating and entertainment.

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      1. 81

         Rafiniposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         Welfare has nothing to do with it. (as a whole)
         
         There are many reasons why people do the things they do.  I, for one, bought my laptop because it's the means to an end. (beginning a writing career)  I know people who would rather buy a new pure-bred dog than buy dog food for the 5 pure-bred dogs they already have.  It's called priorities and whether or not their in the right place.

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         TLMinutposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         This is a poor person's thinking style. If they do happen to get hold of any money, they buy things they know they will "never" get the chance to buy again.
         You'll die if you don't eat enough or have to live on the streets (not everywhere I guess) but if you buy food with the money, you'll have to buy more next time and still won't have food. Your "toy" will still be here, you'll be hungry with or without it, might as well have something to get your mind off it.

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         1. 81

            Rafiniposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            right you are TLMinut - I wouldn't have thought of it that way.  lol  but it is what keeps them poor and constantly asking to borrow money.
            
            In fact one person called me recently and asked to borrow money for not only dog food, but for gas and their own food.  I had to re-inform this person I am unemployed, on a limited income (from unemployment) and I need to make the unemployment benefits last as long as I can (in case I don't find another job - which isn't my priority right now cuz I"m going to school)

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         2. 66

            Flightkeeperposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            You do have a point.  If you know that you're going to get food stamps every month and that you rent is going to covered by welfare, why save money at all?  It's an interesting situation because welfare doesn't really foster traditional financial skills but rather they are encouraged to spend what they've got to keep getting the same.  There is no encouragement to be self-sufficient.
            
            That is sad and so wrong.

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      3. 86

         Polly Cposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         In the UK, if you have children who receive free school meals you can now apply for a free laptop from the government, as the government considers that all school going children of a certain age needs a computer and internet access for study purposes.

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            Flightkeeperposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            Does that mean that the free laptop comes with free internet?

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      4. 78

         Uninvited Writerposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         Poor people and those on welfare are not allowed any luxuries such as fresh flowers or toys. They can't have a TV or a video game console. They must sit at home and stare at the walls. They can't drink either or go to concerts or buy treats such as ice cream.

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            Flightkeeperposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            I knew I could trust you to come up with some inane comments. Thank you. 

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   Cagsilposted 14 years ago

   Poverty is defined by the situation and earning potential of the individual.
   
   In the U.S. Poverty Level is exactly that- based on where you live, how you live and the earnings you make as a person. The earnings level has to be $11,000.00 or more to obtain lower income status and not poverty. Some claim lower income status is also poverty, however, that is a skewed view, perpetuated for spreading fear among citizens.
   
   I wrote a hub about the difference in understanding between a quality of life and a standard of living. It shows that these two things are linked, but not in the way many think, because of the interpretation of the word "quality" and "standard".

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   1. 81

      Rafiniposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      The $11,000 would be for a single person, right?  I mean, I believe for a family of 4 the poverty level would be something like $16,000.

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         Home Girlposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         People sometimes mix up poverty and standard of living. In different countries it is different, that's why notion of being poor is different. If you have a leased car, a mortgaged house, $100,000 in business debt, maxed credit cards, no cash to buy food, no personal credit, your wife is suing you, are you poor?

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6. 93

   Pcunixposted 14 years ago

   I've been broke now and then, but I have never been poor because I have always had a car or  two, a house, money in stocks and so on.
   
   I have known people who do live close to poverty, always struggling, always losing ground.  Yes, sometimes it comes from bad decisions, but not everyone is bright and, sadly, some can be very dumb.
   
   But other times all it takes us a few bad breaks and they just can't get back.  They lose their home and credit so have to rent somewhere that demands a big security deposit.  They have to buy a junker car which is killing them with repairs and sometimes it breaks and they can't get to work so they lose another job.  No health insurance, can't take time off from work so they get very sick and now can't  work for a long time.
   
   Can't buy new clothes, get ignored for a better job.  Refrigerator breaks, no money to fix it, start eating out more, which costs more money and ruins their health.
   
   I know a very hard working guy who has had all of that.  He's not stupid, is skillful at his job but has had bad luck after bad luck.  Two kids, wife divorced him and left him with the kids.  It breaks my heart to see how hard he tries, how much he loves those two kids and how he just keeps losing ground.  He recently packed up what little they had and went down South somewhere, hoping to find work and a better life.
   
   There are far too many just like him.   It's sad, it's wrong, and it hurts.

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   TMMasonposted 14 years ago

   "Poverty isn't a permanent condition."
   
   Unless you live in a welfare state... then it is the norm. Just ask anyone in the Ghetto.

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