Poverty In The United States

Poverty In The United States: A Growing Problem

(Done in partial completion of Senior Theology at

Cathedral Preparatory School in Erie, PA.)

Matt Lindenberger

March 12th, 2007

Mr. Del Rio

Period 4 Senior Theology

Abstract

In this paper, I will explain

Table of Contents

Chapter One

a. Introduction

b. Statement of Problem

c. Purpose of Study

d. Need for Study

e. Assumptions

f. Statement of Hypothesis

g. Definition of Terms

Chapter Two

Review of Literature

a. Literature used

b. Explanation of Literature

Chapter Three

Church's View

a. Church Doctrines

b. Church Teachings

c. Explanation

Chapter Four

Conclusions

Chapter Five

Works Cited

a. List of Work Cited

b. In Text Citation

Chapter Six

Bibliography

- Bibliography Listing

Chapter Seven

Personal Opinion

a. Personal Opinion

b. Closing Thoughts

Running Head: Poverty in the U.S.

Chapter 1

The United States of America is considered one of the best countries to live in the world. There are many things that are provided to the members of the United States that others countries cannot afford or are not provided. We are extremely fortunate in what we have and we often take these things for granted. We as a nation are considered one of the wealthiest countries in the world and we have a very good economy. However, there are millions of Americans, who live every day in fear of what the next will bring, living paycheck to paycheck and having to worry about everything that they buy leaves these people with worries and doubts. As the number of people who have to deal with poverty grows exponentially, we as a nation have begun to see what a problem this is really beginning to become. We as a nation need to help out the members of our society who do struggle with the troubling reality known as poverty. Not only as a nation but everyone needs to do there part to help pick up our brothers and sisters who really need our help with their struggle.

Poverty is defined as the condition of people whose annual family income is less than a "poverty line" set by the United States Government.(1 ;alksdjf;a). The "poverty line" is based on three times the annual cost of the adequate food supply for the number of individuals in the household that is being surveyed. Over recent years, the number of individuals as well as households in poverty have increased tenfold. This is clearly a huge problem in our society locally and nationally. Poverty includes but is not limited to homelessness. There is clearly a problem with our society when there are people who Running Head: Poverty in the U.S.

cannot get by on what they make on their job. In the past year there have been about

thirteen percent of people have been considered poor at one time(1 a;lksdjfa;kljf). Although many of these people don't stay in poverty for a long period of time going in and out of poverty can effect not only the parents making the money, but also every other member of the family. With families going in and out of poverty, not staying on one side for very long, it is tough to say exactly how many of these people there are and where they are at.

"While in any give year, 12 to 14 percent of the population is poor, over a ten- year period, 40 percent experience poverty in at least one year because most poor people cycle in and out of poverty; they don't stay poor for long periods. Poverty is something that happens to the working class, not some marginal 'other' on the fringes of society."

-Michael Zweig, What's Class Got to do With It, American Society in the Twenty- First Century, 2004

The Purpose for me personally of this study is to become aware of what a terrible thing is happening in our country. I feel a responsibility as both a Christian and a member of the United States, to help out all these people who need my assistance. I would like to become more aware of how I can help these people out and what there is for me to do for them. I would also personally like to help make others aware of this growing problem. I would like to find out just how many people suffer every day because of poverty. This paper to me is a way to realize different ways to help out my brothers and sisters that need my help. I believe that there is a purpose for everyone of us and this Running Head: Poverty in the U.S.

study because we all need to work together in order to fix this problem. As a society, the people of this nation need to come together toward a common goal so all the people of this nation can all share the same things.

There is a dire need for this study because of the seriousness of this problem in our nation. As of right now, there are over 35 million people who live below the poverty line or in poverty. This is clearly a problem in our world