Breaking the Cycle of Poverty: Identifying the Barriers

BREAKING THE CYCLE OF POVERTY:

IDENTIFYING THE BARRIERS

By

John Gamez

Economics 100, Web Version I

Western Illinois University, Macomb

October 28, 2001

OUTLINE

Thesis: With millions of families living in poverty, one wonders what barriers exist that prevent these families from breaking the cycle of poverty.

I. Introduction

A. Poverty affects people of all ages, races and colors

1. The number of families living in poverty is staggering.

II. The subject of single parenting is a controversial one, but is no doubt a contributing

factor to being economically disadvantaged.

A. The number of households headed by females without husbands has been

steady, often rising.

1. Social intervention has failed to stop this problem.

III. Immigrant families enter the cycle of poverty and live without government

assistance.

A. Even with legal status, some immigrants are unable to acquire government

assistance.

1. Immigrants are limited to low paying jobs because they lack education.

2. Children of immigrants sometimes lack the ambition to succeed

IV. The view of government welfare as a contributor to poverty is controversial.

A. Many critics believe it discourages people to work.

B. Many believe it does not help those who need it the most.

V. Education is the link to success and failure.

A. Education provides essential social skills for our society

VI. There are other barriers that prevent families from...