Economic Inequality

Half the world — nearly three billion people — live on less than two dollars a day.

According to UNICEF, 26,500 to 30,000 children die each day due to poverty. Nearly a billion people entered the 21st century unable to read a book or sign their names. But what about here in the United States?

With 37 million people in the US living below the poverty line, the issue of economic inequality cannot remain unaddressed. About 17% of our children live in families considered poor – that's 13 million children. Child poverty rates are highest among Black, Latino and Native American youth.

People experience poverty when they don't have the financial means to take part in mainstream society. To do this, they need education, basic life skills, jobs and social networks. Currently, the US government measures poverty levels using a national income standard developed in the 1960's. In 2008, the standard for a family of three is $17,600, so if a family of three brings in an income below this, they are considered living below the poverty line.

“Working poor” is a term used to describe families who are employed but are unable to bring in an income high enough to lift them out of poverty. Despite desperate attempts, these families may not have access to the benefits like health care or the possibility of employment advancement. This means that their financial journey is laden with challenges that are often impossible to overcome. The ranks of the working poor are growing as more and more families slip into poverty. They serve in restaurants they can’t afford to eat at, pump gas into cars they can’t afford to drive and watch children, while unable to hire a babysitter for their own children.

Today, more than ever, the working poor are a major issue for politicians and activists. As the economy spirals down, those at the bottom rung of the scale suffer more than most. While the upper and middle classes argue over tax breaks, the working poor just try to live day to day, just barely feeding their children.

An economist from the Economic Policy Institute claims "Many occupations that a decade ago afforded a living wage are now low wage." In addition, globalization has forced companies to lay off workers or ship work overseas. Wages are cut to compete on the global market.