Chapter 9: The Effects of Poverty Flashcards
What are the two most obvious signs of poverty?
Food insecurity and homelessness.
Why did food insecurity become recognized as a social problem?
Food banks and children’s meal programs in schools emerged.
What is food insecurity?
The inability to obtain sufficient, nutritious, personally acceptable food through normal food channels. Also, the uncertainty that one will be able to do so.
What factors contribute to food insecurity?
Low income or unaffordability of a healthy diet.
How do we measure food insecurity?
The number of people using emergency food programs and food banks.
What is acceptable housing?
Adequate, suitable, and affordable housing.
What is core housing need?
People who live in households that do not meet the criteria of acceptable housing.
What is affordable housing?
Housing that costs less than 30 percent of a household’s before-tax income.
What is shelter poverty?
When the household is left in poverty after rent is paid.
When is a person considered homeless?
Unsheltered, emergency sheltered, provisionally sheltered, and at-risk of homelessness.
What does it mean when homelessness is cyclical or chronic?
Cyclical means short-term shelter and chronic means long-term or repeated homelessness.
Approximately how many Canadians are homeless a day?
80 000
What circumstances or challenges do homeless people often face?
Mental illness, addiction, and disability.
Why is the cycle of poverty a helpful tool?
It helps to understand poverty’s negative effects on individuals, families, and society.
What health risks does poor housing have?
Physical health problems like asthma, arthritis, and hepatitis B or C.
What health risks does poor food have?
Inadequate prenatal and postnatal care, low birth weight, obesity, diabetes, and anemia.
What are some potential effects of poor food and housing on children?
Delays in cognitive, social, and physical development. These can lead to learning problems and high-risk behaviours.
What are some potential effects of poor food and housing on adults?
Difficulty meeting demands of school or work, mental illness, personal functioning and fulfillment of social roles, and social exclusion.
Why can poverty become both the cause and effect of social ills?
The disadvantages of persistent poverty repeat themselves throughout generations, and create even greater hardship.
What is the most concerning aspect of poverty?
The negative effect it has on children. Lack of community resources, material deprivation, physical, emotional, and behavioural problems, and the effects carrying into adulthood.
What are direct costs of poverty?
Poverty-related income security programs, and social services.
What are indirect costs of poverty?
The overuse of expensive services by low-income groups.
