When people think of poverty, they often associate it with third world countries like Africa. However, many do not realize how poverty affects the United States. Poverty impacts various aspects of a person’s life and can lead to issues such as hunger and homelessness. The government even intervenes when someone falls below the poverty line, which is a set salary that qualifies individuals for government assistance such as food stamps or subsidized school lunches. Living in poverty has numerous effects.
Hunger is an effect of poverty. Food costs money, so even if a person can buy food, it might not be very nutritious. Not getting the right vitamins and nutrients in your diet may cause tiredness, sickness, and malnourishment. When you’re unable to eat healthy, nutritious food, there’s a possibility that you’ll have to go to the hospital for treatment which costs a lot of money. Many people in poverty don’t have enough money to pay for a trip to the hospital.
Another effect of living in poverty is homelessness which can be caused by natural disasters or unemployment among other things. People living in poverty can barely afford their house payments let alone buy a new house if one is damaged resulting in homelessness. Homelessness causes people to lose more than just their homes; they also lose access to personal hygiene and self-image because they have no place to shower or clean themselves up at. This affects their ability to get jobs which causes an endless cycle of poverty.
Homelessness is just one of the many effects that poverty has on a person’s life.
Government assistance is also another effect of poverty. Since poverty is such a significant issue, the U.S. government has stepped in to help people who are below the poverty line. The government has seen the effects of poverty and provides aid to those in need. Currently, a family of four must make $22,113 or less to qualify for these programs, which is barely enough to cover basic needs.
The government offers special programs for those in need, such as food stamps, Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income, and many others. Taxpayers fund these programs aimed at helping people get their basic needs met so they can survive.
Many people are currently living in poverty, and this unfortunate situation has a variety of distressing and life-changing effects. Hunger, homelessness, and reliance on government assistance are just a few examples of how poverty impacts people’s daily lives.
