Child Poverty In America

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Poverty has always been a hot subject to talk about through history. Throughout the years poverty keeps increasing because of the higher prices of everything, such as food, clothing, bills, etc. “Nearly 22 percent of America’s children live in poverty, compared with 14 percent of the total population.” (Mattingly, 2011). Though there are people who have a great amount of money and will never have to worry about going hungry there are also always be people out there who have to live day by day wondering if they will be able to afford a meal that day or wondering where they will sleep that night. Being in poverty does not mean an individual does not work hard. A person could have a full time job, but is not paid well enough to support themselves …show more content…

Whether it being white, blacks, asian, hispanic. In the past race was a much bigger issue than it is now. Child poverty tends to be higher when living among racial minorities. Whites and blacks seem to have stayed even throughout the past couple years while the Hispanics have the highest poverty percentage. “In 2000, Hispanics represented an average of 10 percent of the total population in persistent child poverty counties and a slightly lower percentage of those in frequent high child poverty counties” (Mattingly,2011). Hispanics tend to get the jobs that other people do not want and therefore do not pay as well like working in a factory. Hispanics settle for any job they can get. They work really hard for their money and will not have money handed to them. Hispanics usually have a lot lower education level than whites or blacks and many did not finish high school (Mattingly,2011). “Hispanic education levels are lower than both blacks and whites, with about one-third of Hispanics reporting no high school degree” (Mattingly, 2011). With a lower education it is harder to get a good job because many workplaces do not hire someone without a quality …show more content…

“ In rural America, 27 percent of children live in low-income working families, compared with only 21 percent in metropolitan areas”(O’Hare, 2004). In rural areas there tends to not be as many job choices as in a large city and people get paid more for working in a larger city. Being in a rural area does not mean families don't work as hard as people who live in metropolitan areas because they might even work harder. Rural families are willing to work very hard for money and to support their family. In rural families parents typically have a couple jobs so they can make more money, but the money earned is a lot less then a big city would be(O’Hare, 2004). Individuals paycheck is a lot less in rural areas because things usually are a little cheaper then they would be in a big city. “In urban areas, the mean income during 2002 for families with children was $66,900, compared with $48,200 for families with children living outside of urban areas”. In rural places though growing up with two parents has a lot less poverty rate then growing up with single parents even though living in a rural area still has a high chance. Though child poverty in rural areas is still a lot greater (O’Hare, 2004). Child poverty rates are at a higher risk in rural children because of work and education. “Poor families in rural America are more likely to be working,

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