chapter 15 textbook questions Flashcards
measures of povery
(depth, duration)
which groups of canadian are poor or at risk of being poor
—unattached individuals aged 45 to 64, people with disabilities, off-reserve Aboriginal people, recent immigrants, and lone parents (of whom 4 out of 5 are lone mothers). In every working-age group, those most likely to be poor are younger, have lower levels of education, and are less likely to hold full-time jobs. Women, especially young women, are likelier than men to remain poor longer. Those who do move out of poverty tend to go from a one-adult to a two-adult, two-earner household. Conversely, those who move from a two-adult to a one-adult household risk becoming poor
how is poverty defined
There are two basic ways of defining poverty. Absolute poverty is a reflection of the minimum basic requirements necessary for physical survival. These include a diet that sustains life, clothing that protects from the elements, and appropriate shelter. Yet even this measure reflects what is considered appropriate and “decent” in one’s society (Sarlo, 2008). Another approach to defining poverty considers poverty a relative concept based on social well-being in addition to physical survival. Individuals or families are identified as poor by comparing them to others in the population. Most measures of poverty in Canada, such as Statistics Canada’s low-income cutoffs, are definitions of relative poverty
measures of povery
Three factors that influence the impact of poverty on families are its depth, its breadth, and its duration . Depth of poverty refers to the amount a family or individual income is below the poverty line. The further below, the more difficult it is to provide the basic needs. Breadth refers to other aspects associated with poverty, such as illiteracy, poor health, and physical insecurity. Duration or persistence refers to how long the poverty lasts. Short-term low income is easier to weather than prolonged periods because individuals usually have some resources to help tide them over a bad period. When poverty is prolonged, however, all accumulated
resources, such as savings, are eventually depleted and need to be renewed. For example, income could initially be used almost entirely for living expenses. Eventually, it must stretch to cover replacement costs for clothing and for household supplies, such as furniture and bedding. The longer poverty lasts, the harder it is to make ends meet
why has market poverty increased
Market poverty —that is, poverty based on wages alone—has grown. There are several reasons. First, many jobs do not pay well enough to allow even full-time workers, especially women, to support families. In 2010, women earned just 68 percent of the average wages earned by men and were likelier to have low-wage jobs (Statistics Canada, 2012x). Self-employment and part-time work also contribute to lower income.
what strategies are used by single mothers surviving on social assistance to get extra money
First choice was financial help from the child’s father or a live-in boyfriend. Second choice was asking relatives for help. Third choice was to take a job under the counter—illegally—or a “real” job using false ID. In both cases, their pay was not reported so that their welfare would not be cut. Going to an agency for help was near the bottom of the list. The last strategy was selling sex, drugs, or stolen goods
how has the focus of social assisstance programs changed over time
Some people wish to provide an adequate income through direct grants. This approach has been rejected by provincial governments. British Columbia, for example, made it harder to qualify for welfare and has imposed a time limit (Michael & Reitsma-Street, 2002). A change in focus toward social assistance has occurred. In 1998, the federal government, using funds from other programs, set up the National Child Benefit Supplement. All families with incomes less than a specified amount are eligible for the benefit, whether this income comes from welfare or employment. Some provinces deduct the amount from welfare payments to fund programs for families, for example extra money to families moving from welfare into the workforce. Others provide noncash services, such as school nutrition and “head start” education for preschoolers. It is too early, however, to tell how much this program will reduce family poverty. There will always be individuals who are disabled or otherwise disadvantaged, and they will need longer-term support—they should receive better levels of benefits (Torjman, 2008). We should also invest in programs that help youth with disabilities transition from school to work and fund more research to determine why more and more people with disabilities are relying on social assistance programs
poverty amoung aboriginal people
In 2006, the median income for Aboriginal people was $18 962—30 percent lower than the $27 097 median income for the rest of Canadians (Wilson & Macdonald, 2010). A number of factors contribute to their low income—lower levels of education, fewer jobs, greater health problems, and more lone-parent families
who are the homeless
Homeless people include two-parent families, single parents and their children, single women, older persons, and young people. Among them are psychiatric patients and individuals with disabilities. Many receive social assistance; some have low-paying jobs (Salvation Army, 2009; Schindler & Coley, 2005; Senate of Canada; 2008; Wilkie & Berdahl, 2007). There appear to be three different groups among the homeless : those who are chronically homeless and often have substance abuse problems; those who are cyclically homeless because of job loss, family violence, or release from prison, and may be repeaters; and those who are temporarily homeless because of marital separation or a disaster such as a fire (Begin et al., 1999).
About 30 percent of homeless people are women. Mother-headed lone-parent families appear at greatest risk, especially when they have few backup resources. They are usually less noticeable than men, partly because they fear child protection services will take their children. Many remain homeless for shorter periods because they exchange sex or housekeeping for accommodation. Such women are often separated or escaping abuse.
Some groups are overrepresented among the homeless . The number of young homeless people is increasing. Among them are those living in shelters with a parent and runaways, many of whom are escaping abuse—living on the streets, however, is also violent. The number of families needing emergency shelter appears to be growing. Members of minorities, especially Aboriginal people in Prairie cities, are overrepresented among the homeless . Immigrants may also experience problems in finding housing
question on social assistance
No simple strategy will achieve the goal. Government programs often work at cross-purposes. Moving from dependence on social assistance to reliance on paid employment creates obstacles and barriers to improving life. Families can lose benefits tied to income levels, such as subsidized housing, when they move from welfare to paid employment. These benefit losses may reduce the family’s living standard below the one it had on welfare. There needs to be an overarching policy that supports individuals who cannot work and provides adequate services, such as childcare assistance, longer-term training, and financial assistance, during the transition from welfare to work with a living wage. Changes will probably need to be made to current programs to achieve these goals (Hay, 2009; National Council of Welfare, 2007b; Senate of Canada, 2009; Stapleton, 2007; Torjman, 2009). Whatever solution or combination of solutions is chosen, moving families out of poverty is a complex and difficult task. Yet it must be tackled, especially for the benefit of children.
why are recent immagrants at risk for poverty
Recent immigrants (those who arrived in Canada after 2000) have a greater risk of poverty (17.2 percent in 2010), especially in large cities (Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, 2013). Rates were highest among those who had been in Canada for one to two years. Entry-level jobs, which many immigrants must take, are usually low-paying. In addition, there has been a swing toward self-employment, which is difficult for newcomers without connections. Those who come from countries with language and customs very different from Canada’s may have the most difficulty finding well-paying jobs. And refugees are even more likely than other immigrants to live in poverty (Picot et al., 2007).
do people who are poor work
of course
question on statistics canada low income cut off
Short-term low income is easier to weather than prolonged periods because individuals usually have some resources to help tide them over a bad period. When poverty is prolonged, however, all accumulated resources, such as savings, are eventually depleted and need to be renewed. For example, income could initially be used almost entirely for living expenses. Eventually, it must stretch to cover replacement costs for clothing and for household supplies, such as furniture and bedding. The longer poverty lasts, the harder it is to make ends meet
question on market based meaure MBM
Another attempt to define absolute poverty in Canada is provided by the Market Basket Measure (MBM ). The MBM is the cost of a basket of goods that includes food, shelter, clothing, and other basic needs. This measure accounts for regional variations. For example, in 2010, the MBM for a family of two adults and two children in Regina was $29 875, in Ottawa $32 155, and in Halifax $32 303 (Statistics Canada, 2012v).
how does poverty impact health
Children’s behaviour, health , school learning, and recreational activities are all affected by income levels. Behaviour, as we saw in Chapter 6, is shaped by children’s temperaments and by the people with whom they interact. Poor children are more likely to be considered troublemakers, to have emotional problems, to be hyperactive and inattentive in school, to engage in delinquency (cheating, stealing, vandalizing), and to hang around with other children in trouble with the law (Ross & Roberts, 1999).
Children in low-income families also tend to have poorer health . When money is tight, the food budget often suffers and with it the health of the mother and the unborn child. Babies with low birth weight are more commonly born to mothers in low-income families than in more affluent ones. Low birth weight is associated with a greater number of birth defects and higher infant mortality (McIntyre et al., 1998; Urquia et al., 2007). The effects of poverty continue into school age. Poor children suffer a wide range of health problems. Often, they have inadequate nutrition, lacking essential vitamins (See Box 15.2). If a family lives in substandard housing, children may be more exposed to illnesses they are less able to resist because of their diet. Children in poor families have more problems with hearing, vision, speech, and physical mobility and dexterity
