Poverty In Latin America Essay

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Of all the existing third world regions, Latin America is considered the most developed, yet economic disparities that result in poverty and absolute poverty persist (Preston, 1996). Venezuela, Columbia, Bolivia, Argentina, Brazil, and Peru many more others are some the most adversely affected by poverty issues. But who does poverty affect the most?, According to many studies conducted regarding poverty, it has been found to affect mostly women, children and the elderly, the elderly of course, having to suffer the most because of the inability to generate income. What effects does poverty have on the elderly in Latin America? It is really a problem that has degenerated into a world concern, with policy makers getting more concerned with the …show more content…

In this sense, distribution of national resources is usually a challenge. Now think of this challenge in relation to the elderly in Latin America. It is no wonder they mostly live in shanties, never mind all throughout their lives they have probably worked but have little to show in terms of savings. In most developed nations, there exists a system whereby the elderly in society may apply to be on welfare, and will thus survive for the better part of their latter life, exclusively on taxpayer’s money. However, as stated earlier, countries such as Brazil, Columbia, and Argentina have little to show in this respect. The situation affecting elders in Latin America gets worse if certain risk factors are assumed. For instance, it is very clear that elders in many countries suffer from strokes, and other elderly illnesses, such that they are unable to cater for themselves. So who is responsible for their health care? And exactly how is this achieved? What about in the case where the elderly are left with the young as a result of the deaths of the parents due to the prevailing HIV disease? We are all aware that HIV is mostly prevalent in third world

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