World Poverty

Poverty is defined in many ways. The dictionary definition simply does not suffice to show the human cost of poverty. Poverty is much more than the limited capital resources that this definition suggests. Poverty is defined by the federal government as 16,660 for a family of four in 1998 (“Child Poverty in the United States” 2000). These figures are tremendously flawed; a single individual residing in the United States would not fare well by the standards of most individuals at this income level. Individuals in Laos, Cuba, Ecuador, or many other nations however, would live as kings on this income. Poverty is, therefore a subjective concept far more complicated than a yearly income.

The individual most harshly affected by poverty are those who are the most powerless to do anything about it,children. Research indicates that extreme poverty in the first five years of life alters a child’s chances in life compared to lesser degrees of poverty in later life. This is the result of several key factors. The first problem associated with poverty is poor nutrition. It has been proven that poor nutrition leads to lower intelligence, poor physical development, and diminished immunity to disease. “Children deprived of proper nutrition during the brain’s most formative years score much lower on tests of vocabulary, reading comprehension, arithmetic, and general knowledge.

Many people do not know how big of an effect poverty has on the health issues that we face. Health issues are a main concern for countries with high poverty populations. Poverty affects the way we act and live, and our health affects the way that we behave in the real world. Poverty affects our health in many ways including obesity, mental health and diseases, child development, social status, and our homes. Poverty is an important global issue because it plays a role in the estimated one billion people who lack access to health care systems. Developing cities, such as Beijing, are facing a widening range of health problems due to changes in lifestyle. Social status or social class is defined as people who occupy the same layer of the socioeconomic hierarchy. There are six different categories within the American Class Structure. They are upper class, upper middle-class, middle class, working class, lower class, and the under-class.

Poverty, also know as the “silent killer which exists in every corner of the world. The death rate of poverty children is a staggering number; about 9 million children die each year. Some view poverty as people not being able to afford an occupational meal or having to skip a meal to save money. Living the life of poverty is like living on a rapid downward spinning spiral towards failure. If you were born into poverty there is a slim chance of you making a brighter future for yourself. In some countries, especially Africa, they have a law that states if you’re contagious then you can’t go to school. Most kids in poverty are chronically ill, therefore seldom going to get an education. The lack of education is a major difficulty for these children later in life.

Lately I have been thinking to myself, “Why are so many people begging for change, sitting on the streets, scoping out for some sort of food?” It is not everyday that we see situations like this, but it is out there constantly without all of us knowing it. Some states have more issues of poverty than others, but it is sad to think of how many people are actually considered to be in poverty. This is an inequality that concerns me a lot, and is getting worse daily. Poverty in the United States refers to people whose annual family income is less than a poverty line set by the United States government. Poverty is widespread, caused by numerous different factors such as failing markets, structural problems, unfortunate mishaps, and poor individual choices, but these can all be addressed and eventually we will hopefully pull more people out of poverty.

Global institutions are seen to be the better solution to help prevent world poverty in developing nations. The reason for this is that global institutions have better defined institutional structures. A global institution is an organization with hierarchical structures, having departments and agencies assigned with specific tasks. They generally generate internal resources for their operations. A non-governmental organization (NGO), on the other hand, is “a non-profit making organization, usually staffed by volunteers, that depends largely on donations and grants for its operations” (United Nations). Most poor people who battle hunger deal with chronic undernourishment and vitamin or mineral deficiencies, which result in stunted growth, weakness and heightened susceptibility to illness. Poor children are the most prone to this and are often the victims to malnutrition, deficiencies, diseases and ultimately deaths caused by hunger.The persons who are in the position must have enough knowledge about the solutions on the problem. They should make a step by step process to ensure the proper on the global major problem.