How Poor Are America's Poor? Examining the "Plague" of Poverty in America
Publication Date: August 2007
Publisher: Heritage Foundation (Washington, D.C.)
Author(s): Robert Rector
Research Area: Social conditions
Keywords: Welfare; Census Bureau; food stamps; Welfare
Type: Report
Coverage: United States
Abstract:
For most Americans, the word "poverty" suggests destitution: an inability to provide a family with nutritious food, clothing, and reasonable shelter. But only a small number of the 37 million persons classified as "poor" by the Census Bureau fit that description. While real material hardship certainly does occur, it is limited in scope and severity. Most of America's "poor" live in material conditions that would be judged as comfortable or well-off just a few generations ago.
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