Q's on Poverty... very general q's might I add..

1. In what year was the poverty rate the higest and is there a trend?
-----> In 2003 the poverty rate had risen for the 3rd straight year, "the national poverty rate rose to 12.5 percent -- 35.9 million people -- last year, from 12.1 percent in 2002. Hit hardest were women, who for the first time since 1999 saw their earnings decline, and children. By the end of 2003, 12.9 million children lived in poverty."
Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A35175-2004Aug26.html

2. What are some of the concequences of the current recession?
----->There have been constant job loses and major pay cuts since the beginning of the recession last year. Stores have been closing down left and right and there have been massive sales on almost every corner, otherwise known as a desperate plea to stay in business.
Source: http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2008/11/forecast_nj_job_losses_may_con.html

3. How has the vision of "poverty" been portrayed over time?
-----> To American people the word poverty brings to mind living in a small project home, or trailer park not being able to provide for the family or having 18 kids with no "baby daddy". But there is a much more complicated picture than people like to admit. American people tend to neglect that the poverty rate rises more and things like society and media greatly distort what is real.
Source: http://www.heritage.org/Research/Welfare/bg1713.cfm

4. What are some solutions to poverty?
-----> Some believe that the solution to poverty greatly depends on the government. Things like welfare are things that the people should be aware of, some believe that more people should be made aware of what is available to them. Also there is a theory that if some children had better resources and better schooling that that would steer many away from the invisible hand that forces some in to the "poverty cycle".
Source: http://www.brookings.edu/testimony/2007/0426poverty_sawhill.aspx

5. Are there people making a stand against poverty?
-----> There have been numerous groups that are taking a stand against poverty, people who advocate people being left with nothing.
Source: http://www.makepovertyhistory.org/