Advocacy for youth in the United States

Each day in the United States, an estimated 36.5 million people wake up to another day of poverty, the U.S. Census Bureau reports. One in six children — some 13 million youth — are among those who do not have enough to meet their basic needs. In 2008, “poverty” is defined by the United States government as a family of four living on less than $21,200 a year. Poverty in the United States In addition to our work across the globe, World Vision works in some of the most challenging areas in the United States -- both rural and urban communities. These families struggle daily to make ends meet. An unexpected health issue or loss of job could spell disaster. World Vision seeks to open doors of opportunity for marginalized youth in the United States by pressing for interventions to reduce youth violence and advocating for improved educational opportunities for all. We also work to strengthen the leadership and civic empowerment skills of youth so that they are equipped to advocate for change in their own communities. Back to top Poverty’s effects in the United States versus in the developing world In the developing world, extreme poverty leaves people without food, medicine, and shelter — life’s basic necessities.

In the United Statesm some 13 million children do not have enough to meet their basic needs. ©June 2007/Laura Reinhardt/World Vision Learn more about World Vision's advocacy to: :: Reduce youth violence :: Improve education for all :: Learn more about World Vision's work in the U.S.

In the United States, those who live in poverty have limited access to basic necessities. They might have a house or apartment, and they likely have a job (or two or three), but they are barely getting by. When families live below the poverty line in the United States, they are forced to make difficult choices with limited income: Do they pay the rent or the medical bills? Do they fix the leaking roof or put gas in their vehicle so they can get to their jobs? Where do they find the extra cash needed to buy school supplies for their children?

Without education or a fair-wage job, parents and their children often are trapped in a cycle of poverty that is difficult to break. These families have little or no access to the tools or opportunities that will allow them to break free from their circumstances.

America has highest poverty levels among most developed nations

Poverty in the United States is far higher than in other developed nations. According to UNICEF, the United States ranks 24th of 25 countries when ranked by the number of children living below the national poverty line. (3)

According to the Center for American Progress, in 2005, the wealthiest 1 percent of Americans had the largest share of the nation’s income (19 percent) since 1929. At the same time, the poorest 20 percent of Americans held only 3.4 percent of the nation’s income. (4)

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The nature of poverty in America

There is a common perception of what poverty in America looks like, but the true face of poverty in the United States may surprise you.(5)

• The poor do work: More than half of Americans who are considered poor do have jobs.
• Poverty affects many: Half of all Americans will be poor at some time.
• Most poor Americans are Caucasian: Nearly half of all people living in poverty in the United States are white non-Hispanics. However, African Americans and Hispanics are more likely to live in poverty than other ethnic groups.

Why are there poor Americans?

Several factors contribute to the state of poverty in the United States:

• Illness — both physical and mental
• Job loss
• Limited, poor quality, or no education
• Low wages
• Detrimental peer or family influence

Populations most afflicted by poverty include:

• Women and children
• Minorities
• Immigrants

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A difficult cycle to break

The economic status of a child largely determines where he or she will end up in the economic spectrum as an adult. For instance, the Center for American Progress found that: (6)

• 42 percent of children born in the bottom income quintile will remain in that quintile as adults.
• 6 percent of children born in the bottom income quintile will reach the top quintile as adults.
• 1 percent of children from low-income families will reach the top 5 percent of the income distribution.
• 22 percent of children from wealthy families will reach the top 5 percent of the income distribution.

How does poverty affect children?

Manifestations of domestic poverty include:

• Exposure to or involvement in violent acts
• Poor quality education or no education
• Poor health due to limited access to health care
• Homelessness due to limited access to affordable, adequate housing
• A life of crime

Growing up poor keeps children in a state of insecurity, which prevents them from thriving. This insecurity can lead to:

• Malnutrition
• Destructive or violent behavior
• Poor school performance

All of these factors perpetuate the cycle of poverty.

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God’s call to care for the poor and vulnerable

In Scripture, we encounter a consistent call to promote justice for the poor and vulnerable. World Vision believes God’s concern for the poor extends to all children, including those living in the United States. Recognizing that we live in a country where millions of children and families are in need, we are called to "defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed." (Psalm 82:3-4).




Sources

1. The U.S. Census Bureau: Poverty 2006 highlights
   http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/poverty/poverty06/pov06hi.html
2. The U.S. Census Bureau: Poverty thresholds 2007
   http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/poverty/threshld/thresh07.html
3. UNICEF: An overview of child well-being in rich countries
   http://www.unicef.org/media/files/ChildPovertyReport.pdf
4. Center for American Progress: From poverty to prosperity: A national strategy to cut poverty in half
   http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/2007/04/pdf/poverty_execsum_web.pdf
5. Catholic Charities: Poverty in America: A threat to the common good
   http://povertyinamerica.typepad.com/2006_poverty_paper.pdf
6. Center for American Progress: The Poverty Epidemic in America, by the Numbers
   http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/2007/04/poverty_numbers.html

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