Defining and measuring poverty is a troublesome task due to the fact that there are many variables to be taken into account. Some degree of ambiguity and statistical data are necessary in order to provide a definition and a measure that can be applied effectively by policy makers (Think Quest, 2006). So there are statistical and social definitions of poverty, as well as a mixture of both methods. Social definition includes the concept of empowerment and human development (Think Quest, 2006).
[...] The United Nations definition of poverty takes into consideration the concept of human development (OneWorld.net, 2009) as follows: “Fundamentally, poverty is a denial of choices and opportunities, a violation of human dignity. It means lack of basic capacity to participate effectively in society. It means not having enough to feed and cloth a family, not having a school or clinic to go to, not having the land on which to grow one's food or a job to earn one's living, not having access to credit. [...]
[...] Frank provides the federal poverty thresholds as of 2004 as follows: “Household Size Federal Poverty Threshold 1 person $ people people people or more add $3,180 per person” (Frank, 2006). Frank states that “using these income levels, the Census Bureau reported that percent of U.S. residents and of U.S. children lived in poverty in 2004. Black Americans experience poverty at nearly double these rates: of all Blacks and of Black children live in households with incomes below the poverty line” (Frank, 2006). [...]
[...] There should be much more equity in the distribution of economic resources because if somebody is working, and still can not make ends meet, while somebody who is not working, and are living better off on state services, I find that to be unfair. It can also be said that great masses of people are living as modern slaves. Resources Ackerman, Seth. (1999, Jan-Feb). The Ever-Present yet Nonexistent Poor. For Heritage's Poverty Expert, Numbers Mean. < http:>. Doyle, Rodger. (2003). By the Numbers. Defining Poverty. Official poverty statistics may be misleading . Scientific American, p [...]
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