America's Silent Enemy

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America’s Silent Enemy

Overcoming generational poverty is more than offering those living in the crisis of poverty food or even housing or money. It requires a paradigm shift of thinking for society as a whole. For many, it is not possible for them to escape the grasp of poverty with society’s current support system. America needs yet again, a reform of the welfare system. Such a reform would support individuals to receive a hand up and not a handout; assisting them in their efforts to become self-sufficient and reduces the number of individuals or families that are dependent on government assistance programs.

Generational poverty is an ongoing cycle of poverty in which two or more generations of families experience limited resources. Generational poverty is described as having its own culture, with hidden rules and belief systems. These individuals are enmeshed in poverty and unable to rise above the federal poverty line. The US Census Bureau indicates that the poverty level for a family of four is an “annual income of $23,050 [or less].” Poverty however does not just affect areas of financial needs. Generational poverty includes an individual’s lack of resource in several areas including emotional, physical and mental. There is also often a lack of relationships or positive role models, and support systems. Without the proper support system these individuals would not have the emotional resources. Positive emotional responses dictate behavior and eventually determine achievement. Support systems also offer skills that are not generally passed on from generation to generation in poverty. Many individuals will need not only temporary relief from financial constraints, they will need coping skills, information and know-how and ...

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...ss Barriers. Dr. Donna Beegle. Web 25 Nov 2013.

Ching, Jacqualine. “The Poverty Myth.” Tolerance.com.Teaching Tolerance, Spring 2012.41. Web. 17 Nov. 2013.

Jensen, Eric. “How Poverty Affects Classroom Engagement.” ASCD Conference on Educational Leadership 70.8 (2013): 24-30. Print.

Santiago, Catherine DeCarlo, et al. "Predictors Of Responses To Stress Among Families Coping With Poverty-Related Stress." Anxiety, Stress & Coping 25.3 (2012): 239-258. Academic Search Premier. Web. 25 Nov. 2013.

United States. Census Bureau. 2012 Poverty Guidelines for the 48 Contiguous States and the District of Columbia. United States. Census Bureau. 2012. Web. 18 Nov. 2013

Williams, Mitchell R. and Kevin Pennington.“ Point Of View: Community Colleges Must Take Central Role In Eradicating Generational Poverty.” CCWeek.com.Community College Weekly9 Feb. 2009. Web. 17 Nov. 2013.

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