The Causes Of Poverty

Poverty is something that affects everyone at some point and can vary in intensity and time span. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines poverty as “the state of being poor” (1). When one hears the word “poverty” more often than not we think of a lack of money or being poor in regards to money rather than in things such as culture, wisdom, or knowledge. This lack of financial stability is becoming more common each year and has thus become a global epidemic, making financial poverty the worst kind of poverty achievable. Almost half of the world’s population live on less than $2.50 a day and 1 billion children live in poverty; that comes out to be 1 in 2 children in the world (2). 640 million children in the world live without decent shelter

Corruption is perhaps the largest and most inacceptable man-made cause of poverty (3). We have all seen those sad commercials on TV asking us to donate money, and while several may not have contributed there are many others who actually have. We 're told in magazines and on celebrity gossip websites about the charity work and donations the rich and famous have contributed in order to help put an end to world hunger and extreme poverty. If so many have contributed so much, why is the rate and expansion of poverty increasing? “The GDP (Gross Domestic Product) of the 41 Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (567 million people) is less than the wealth of the world’s 7 richest people combined” (2). A huge chunk of the money and resources provided out of the kindness of do-gooder’s hearts for the poor and starving instead remain with the people in power over these “helpful” organizations

On the webpage they list the steps needed for both poorer countries and fairly wealthy countries. In the poorer countries the measures that they believe should be taken are: 1.) “Improving supplies of clean water, to reduce time spent gathering often foul water and reduce illness caused by foul water supplies.” This is a point previously brought up that is very important in the poverty relief effort. 2.) “Improving the supply of accessible, affordable health care information and services, to reduce the vulnerability to disease of children and the elderly especial.” Another point that has been brought up prior, and greatly important. 3.) “Improving the training and equipment of farmers in poor countries related to agriculture and natural resource management, to help increase crop yields and conserve the environment (6).” This step could not only help end world hunger, but also provide money to the farmers if some crops were sold to wealthier countries. It would also help push genetically modified crops out as most poor farmers do not have access to such