Poverty
Today:
About Assignment #3, Education Reflection (due next class)
About Test #1 (March 11th)
Guest Speakers-Reading Partners and Corazon de Vida
3 Major Theories
Solutions, Brain Drain, Role of women
Assignment #3
Education Reflection
Due: March 4th Mon:
Type ½ page-1 page, double spaced, size 12 font.
“My high school education was high quality.” Do you agree or
disagree with this statement? Explain why or why not in detail.
Proof-read for spelling and grammar.
Prepare to discuss this topic in class in a small group.
Assignment #3
Education Reflection
Details on website under Papers tab
Introduction- name and location of school
Body- Discuss the quality of 3-5 of the following in your school
experience:
teacher quality
extracurricular clubs
athletics
preparation for college
safety/violence
English and Math
tutoring/intervention
preparation for life
academic challenges
art, drama, music
facilities and supplies
parent involvement
Conclusion: Your thoughts/reflection on the overall environment of the
school
About Test #1
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Test 1 Coming Up
March 11th Mon: Test #1 (Chapters 1, 2, 8)
Be on time-class continues after the test
Bring a standard 50 question scantron E-882 and pencil
Multiple choice, 15 questions
Study class notes, ppt slides on website, and text reading
Study guide will posted on website Friday
How is poverty measured world wide?
• World Bank looks at people living at a rate $1.25 a day ($456 a year).
• 1.4 billion people
live at this
or below
poverty line
What do you consider poor?
A) One person in the U.S. making less than $25,000 a year
B) One person in the U.S. making less than $15,000 a year
C) One person in the U.S. making less than $10,000 a year
D) One person in the U.S. making less than $5,000 a year
How Poverty is Measured by the U.S. Census Bureau?
Persons in Family Unit
Poverty Threshold U.S. Census 2012
1
$11,772
2
$14,960
3
$18, 287
4
$21,200
Criticisms:
Not adjusted based on changes in cost of food
Not adjusted based on geographic location
Considers income before taxes
How Poverty is Measured by the U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services ?
Persons in Family Unit
2010 Federal Poverty Guidelines
1
$10,830
Eligibility for federal programs (Head Start, School Lunch)
Many people who do not qualify for government assistance are still
struggling
Defining and Measuring Poverty
United Nations created the Human Poverty Index (HPI)
Based on three measures of deprivation:
1. Deprivation of life
Life expectancy 40, 60
Defining and Measuring Poverty
United Nations created the Human Poverty Index (HPI)
Based on three measures of deprivation:
2. Deprivation of knowledge.
Adult literacy rates
Defining and Measuring Poverty
United Nations created the Human Poverty Index (HPI)
Based on three measures of deprivation:
3. Deprivation in living standards.
Housing, income, unemployment
Poverty in developed nations
Italy
United States
Sweden
Ireland
LEAST POVERTY
Norway
Netherlands
MOST POVERTY
1
1
2
2
3
3
Using all 3 theories is the best way to
understand any aspect of society
Poverty
Structural functionalism
Every part serves a function
Conflict Theory
Everyone is in competition
Symbolic Interactionsim
We are labeled and influenced by others
Causes of Poverty
Functionalist Perspective
• Poverty persists because it performs some positive function
Causes of Poverty
Functionalist Perspective
Sociologists Kingsley Davis and Wilber Moore (1945) highly criticized view
• Talents are rewarded
• All positions in a society (doctors - janitors)
must be filled
• Poverty discourages people
from neglecting their social duties
Causes of Poverty
Functionalist Perspective
Sociologist Kingsley Davis and Wilber Moore (1945) highly criticized view:
• Provides society with people willing to do less desirable jobs
• Provides jobs
• Provides a market for lesser goods
Functionalist
Perspective
• Criticized because
not all careers are
rewarded for their
value in society
Causes of Poverty
Functionalist Perspective
Major institutions in society not functioning properly
1. bad
economy
Causes of Poverty
Functionalist Perspective
Major institutions in society not functioning properly
2. bad
schools
Causes of Poverty
Functionalist Perspective
Major institutions in society not functioning properly
3. family
breakdown
Causes of Poverty
Functionalist Perspective
Major institutions in society not functioning properly
4. problems
with
government
assistance
Conflict Perspective
Occupy Wall Street Protests
Police Coverage
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zgr3DiqWYCI
Conflict Perspective
• Karl Marx: ruling class controls the economic system for its own
benefit and exploits and oppresses the masses
According to Karl Marx: a system of “haves” and
“have-nots” based on the means of production
• 2 classes: bourgeoisie and proletariat
Attorney who
works for a firm
and clients
Independent cab driver who owns
his taxi
We are the 99 percent.
We are getting kicked out of our homes.
We are forced to choose between groceries
and rent. We are denied quality medical care.
We are suffering from environmental
pollution. We are working long hours for
little pay and no rights, if we're working at
all. We are getting nothing while the other 1
percent is getting everything. We are the 99
percent.
http://wearethe99percent.tumblr.com/
Extra Credit Opportunity
Video Review
View Capitalism A Love Story
Michael Moore
If you agree with Conflict Theory:
Describe 3 points the film makes that
support the theory
If you disagree with Conflict Theory:
Describe 3 counter-arguments you have
to points made in the film
Causes of Poverty
Interactionist Perspective- 1st view
People get accustomed to living
in poverty
Have difficulty changing the
situation
Criticized because it seems to
“blame the victim”
Causes of Poverty
Symbolic Interactionist Perspective
Culture of poverty: viewing problematic behaviors
(selling drugs, dropping out of school, not having a job)
as normal
Symbolic
Interactionist Perspective 2nd view
People in poverty get labeled as lazy and lose out on opportunities
due to the label
Labels of poor:
•irresponsible
•lazy
•low motivation
•low ability
•low morals
View of wealthy:
•capable
•hard working
•motivated
•deserving of wealth
•greedy
•selfish
•spoiled
•immoral
Poverty In The United States
Poverty in the U.S.
Almost 18 million households
had trouble putting food on the
table (2011)
Food insecure: lacking access to
sufficient food for all family
members
Which explanation of poverty applies best to
today’s economic crisis?
a. Symbolic Interactionist A: people get accustomed to living in
poverty and therefore have difficulty changing the situation
b. Symbolic Interactionist B: people in poverty get labeled as lazy
and lose out on opportunities due to the label
c. Structural Functionalist: poverty is a functional in society, it
motivates people to seek higher rewards
d. Conflict Theory: The masses are exploited by the few who have
money and power
Solutions to Poverty
• Organizations mentioned are listed as Top 10
Poverty Fighting Non-Profits by TakePart.org
• Other ways to be a part of the solution:
www.charitynavigator.org
• This website provides rating as well as CEO
compensation
Provide assistance in more than 60
countries to people whose survival
is threatened due to:
• armed conflict
• epidemics
• malnutrition
• natural disasters.
1999 Nobel Peace Prize
View: The Way We Live. Ups and
Downs of Global Stratification
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
How did Doctors Without Borders start?
What is their charter?
What is brain drain?
How is the role of women a factor?
What do you think about the increase in care workers in the United States
from other countries?
Answer questions on Video Note Taking Guide while watching
56 secs start-9
11-13
16:20
Extra Credit Opportunity
Video Review
View Mammoth
Coming up:
March 4th Mon (Next class): Education Read pages
196-204 A#3 Due: Education Reflection
March 11th Mon: Test #1 (Chapters 1, 2, 8). Gender
Hunger in the U.S.
Almost 18 million households had trouble putting food on the table
Food insecure: lacking access to sufficient food for all family members
Poverty in developed nations
Children are more likely to be in poverty in the U.S. than any other
age group
UNICEF: highest percentage of children in poverty among rich
countries is in the United States
Awareness
Governor Theodor R. Kulongoski 2007 Oregon
Lived for one week on an average food stamp budget of $21 per week ($3 per
person, per day)