what is poverty?

Question

be more specific.

Answer 1

"Poverty" means "the state of having little or no money and few or no material possessions."

Our country has done a great job of almost completely eliminating the true "abject" poverty, only to find people redefining it to include more people. As the standard of living in this country continues to increase, people will adjust their definition of "poverty." This new definition is "relative" poverty.

I know a family who has 4 TVs, Satelite, several DVD players & more than enough to eat (the whole family is overweight.)
They are considered "impoverished" by American standards because they can't afford nice clothes, nice cars (they have old cars & hand-me-downs) & other things this modern society now considers necessity.

I think it is not right to use the same word, "poverty", to discribe the family living in a mobile home, buying clothes at garage sales, & eating simple food, like beans & rice, or Spaggetti & meat sauce. This type of family would be considered well-to-do in many places in Mexico! I prefer the phrase "disadvantaged." They need help, but we shouldn't try to act like they are on the same level with those dying of starvation in Africa!

Answer 2

Poverty is relative to your surrounding culture. If you cannot provide necessary items for you and your loved ones, you may feel like you live in poverty. However, poverty can be legally defined by a government in order to establish limits for offering food, medical help, shelter and other support to people who are in financial trouble.

Sometimes people make very poor decisions and spend their money on frivolous and unnecessary things they cannot afford and then can't pay for what they need.

A person who is living in a large community that has very few resources and has one person who has been wise and hard working may define poverty and wealth differently than someone who "only has a million dollars" and is surrounded by billionaires.

In my opinion, if you have everything you NEED and a bit of what you want, you are wealthier than the major of the peoples of the world who find themselves without the necessities of life.

Answer 3

I think poverty is when a person/family cannot afford the basic needs of life, such as food, shelter, etc. A lot of rural Americans are on food stamps, medical cards, and public benefits; some don't have transportation or a steady home. It's easy to take life for granted and think we have it rough but in reality most of the people reading this are not "poor."

Answer 4

Poverty means:Insufficient food.
When we say this country suffers from poverty it means that this country is dying 4 food and do not have enough food 2 live......eg 4 these countries such as sudan,cameron,senegal etc.

Answer 5

Poverty is barely being able to afford the things you need and completely unable to buy the things you want.

Answer 6

Working and not being able to make enough to pay your bills. Not being able to afford basic things such as food, clothing and shelter. Not having the means to educate your children or afford any medical care. Basically living the existence of a stray dog.

Answer 7

When a person cannot afford the 3 basic necessities in life: food, clothing and shelter.

Answer 8

Continually struggling by having to live with little or no money, or living on the street.

Answer 9

poor