ECO 103 Forum: Ch.21 Discussion Global Poverty

The title of this chapter is Global Poverty, but let us look at poverty through an American lense.

1.USA is getting older. In retirement, do families have a higher or lower income than other parts of their life? So more retirees increases/decreases poverty?

2.Many lament the crumbling American family. Do single parent families experience more/less poverty? So more single parent families increases/decreases poverty?

3.Poverty is often counted by household. Typically are poor families smaller/bigger than wealthy ones?

4.Using your conclusion from #3, if poverty were measured by person, would the poverty rate increase/decrease compared to measuring by households?

5.Poverty means low income, but are things provided to needy families in ways other than income? Name some means for needy families other than income.

6.If poverty were defined by access rather than income, then the poverty level would increase/decrease?

7.Questions #1-7 downplay poverty. If two periods are defined for USA, the first as 1940-1980 and the second as 1980-2020, which has more equal distribution?

8.For the more recent (the second, '80-20) equality is getting better/worse?

9.Economists agree that cash aid is more efficient because families can use it where they need it the most. Nonetheless non-cash programs persist. Why is cash assistance still unpopular with taxpayers?

10.Which non-cash program do you think is the most effective? Why? (if naming a program a classmate already identified, do make sure your explanation DIFFERS).