Poor, Article Review Example

Introduction

The recent recession has changed the dynamics of poverty because a lot of lower income people were already stretched in trying to make ends meet. The added financial worries of the economy has created a tremendous amount of job losses and increased the levels of unemployment. This has also resulted in fewer jobs being available so re-employment has become a difficult challenge for many. This has also meant that many middle income people have been unable to pay their mortgages and have been forced into foreclosure situations.

Helping the Poor

In 2010 Erik Eckholme of the New York Times reported that the recession had raised the poverty levels to a 15 year high. (Eckholme, E. 2012). In 2009 he reported that some 4, million americans found themselves in cases of poverty. Equally millions of more people were only surving because of unemployment assurance and other forms of assistance. The situation in 2009 being projected to continue fore 2-3 years. There has been an increasec in the level of people dispossessed of their homes and having to move in with friends or family.

An article in USA today provided the following statistics from the national census bureau:

• 46 million Americans estimated to be living in poverty
• An increased number of people in the suburbs are poor, a rise by up to 20%
• Unemployment is rising and adding to the problem (Bello, M. 2012).

It has been noted that the poorest communities reside in the Hispanics and Black communities who have been hit the hardest. Charities have been helping but the real issue is economic stimulation and getting more jobs and employment in the poorer communities.

References

Bello, M. (2012, 4 24). Poverty affects 46 million Americans. Retrieved from USA Today: http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/story/2011-09-28/millions-of-americans-are-suddenly-poor/50593610/1

Eckholme, E. (2012, 4 24). Recession Raises Poverty Rate to a 15-Year High. Retrieved from New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/17/us/17poverty.html?_r=1&pagewanted=print