Social Change

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r, the relationship between poverty and education goes deeper than what is on the surface? Lack of education and poverty, are they really two distinct problems?



Poverty
In the United States, the term poverty is thrown around with absurd freedom. However, according the US Census Bureau, poverty is calculated quite precisely. To begin, poverty is computed by including: earnings, unemployment compensation, public assistance, pension or retirement income, alimony, child support along with various other sources; whereas many non-cash benefits are not counted, items such as: food stamps and housing subsidies (2005). Diagram 1, below, shows the calculations used to determine “poverty”. From a clinician’s perspective, if poverty can be described by the numbers below, is it likely an individual making $9,393 per year is going to spring for psychological treatment? Certainly it is not likely the individual will pay for treatment by his/her own volition. In the context of a family whose family income is at or around the mark determined by the US Census bureau, the first real problem is seen. How does an individual become considered for treatment?


Poverty Thresholds for 2003 by Size of Family and Number of Related Children Under 18 Years
(Dollars)

Weighted Related children under 18 years
Size of family unit average Eight
thresholds None One Two Three Four Five Six Seven or more
One person (unrelated individual).……
9,393
Under 65 years....................………
9,573 9,573
65 years and over.................………
8,825 8,825

Two persons.........................………
12,015
Householder under 65 years........…
12,384 12,321 12,682
Householder 65 years and over...…
11,133 ...