sociology essay

Dear Social Problems Students,

This week during lecture we began looking at one particular public issue: Poverty. Based on the ideas presented in the course readings and the points made during lecture, here are twelve questions for you to write about (you are required to answer all twelve questions):

1. If a person doesn’t feel poor, are they still poor? Who gets to decide?

2. If somebody can afford a flat screen TV or loan payments on a new car, are they really living in poverty?

3. Can poverty be eliminated through Federal Programs and via cash transfers to the poor?

4. The poverty experienced by the poor in America is primarily psychological. Agree or disagree?

5. According to the Federal Definition, approximately 12.3% of adults currently living in America are poor. If only 12.3% of adults are poor, is that really a problem?

6. Why are the poor less likely to vote than their middle class and upper class peers?

7. Are anti-poverty programs corrupting? Do anti-poverty programs (i.e. Food Stamps, Cash Welfare, Unemployment Insurance) stifle initiative and create dependence on government aid?

8. Suggesting that some poor people are just lazy…Why is that a politically incorrect thing to say?

9. Providing people with adequate funds to purchase necessities such as food, education, healthcare, and education… is that socialism?

10. Why does poverty seem to cripple some  people and inspire others? In other words, why is that some people who grow up in poverty achieve tremendous economic success and others stay in poverty throughout their lifetimes?

11. People living in poverty should not have to pay income taxes. Agree or disagree?

12. Will poverty ever be eliminated? Should it be?