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Chapter 16 Outline
Chapter 16 Outline
II.
Chapter 16 Outline
Poverty in America: The Nature of the Problem
A. The Poor; Who and How Many?
i.
The poverty line is defined by the US government as the
annual cost of the thrifty food budget for an urban family of
four, multiplied by three to include the cost of housing,
clothes, and other necessities
1. In 2012, the poverty line was set at an annual
income of roughly 23,000; one in seven American
live below poverty line
ii.
They include individuals of all ages, races, religions, and
regions but they are concentrated more within some groups
such as children
B. Living in Poverty: By Choice or By Chance?
i.
Many Americans hold to the idea that poverty is largely a
matter of choicethat most low-income Americans are
unwilling to make the effort to hold a responsible job and
get ahead in life
ii.
This, however, is not true and most poor Americans are in
their situation as a result of circumstance rather than by
choice
The Politics and Policies of Social Welfare
i.
Negative government holds that government governs best
by staying out of peoples lives
ii.
Positive government holds the idea that government
intervention is necessary in order to enhance personal
liberty and security when individuals are buffeted by
economic and social forces beyond their control
iii.
Republicans continue to cling on to traditional ideas about
self-reliance and free markets and holds more negative
government perspective
iv.
Entitlement programs are those that support any individual
who meets eligibility criteria and is entitled to benefits
B. Social Insurance Programs
i.
Social insurance includes social security, Medicare,
unemployment insurance, and workers compensation
1. They are such programs because eligibility is
restricted to individuals who paid special payroll
taxes during their working years
ii.
Social security is meant for retirees and is one of the few
welfare programs run entirely by the federal government
iii.
Although people qualify for paying payroll taxes during their
working years, the money they receive upon retirement is
funded by payroll taxes on current workers salaries
iv.
Unemployment benefits are for those that loses their jobs
involuntarily
v.
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