Poverty in America

Business can help reduce poverty. Much progress has been made in the reduction of poverty but much still remains to be done; the percentage of Americans under the official poverty line in 1959 was 22.4%, by 1978 this figure was down to 11.4%. The US has not done so well with regard to the percentage...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Business horizons 1982-07, Vol.25 (4), p.85-90
Main Author: Wood, James R.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Business community
Economic aspects
Industries
Industry
Poor
Poverty
Public assistance
Social aspects
Social costs
Social policy
Statistical data
United States
Welfare
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Summary:Business can help reduce poverty. Much progress has been made in the reduction of poverty but much still remains to be done; the percentage of Americans under the official poverty line in 1959 was 22.4%, by 1978 this figure was down to 11.4%. The US has not done so well with regard to the percentage of Americans below the relative poverty line; in 1965, 12.4% of families fell below this line, by 1972 that figure was 12.5%. Americans tend to blame poverty on individualistic factors and minimize structural factors. In 20% of the poor families, the family head works full time but still does not make enough money to support the family. About 54% of those under the poverty level are too young or too old to work. Further, the US welfare system is replete with work disincentives. To alleviate poverty, job skills and wage rates need to be upgraded, and heads of households and youths must be provided jobs, such as through a program of targeted employment subsidies for business. Business can help by providing workers with day-care facilities, teaching academic subjects after work, and being more socially aware.
ISSN:0007-6813
1873-6068
DOI:10.1016/0007-6813(82)90031-3