Today, the United States remains one of the leading and richest countries in a world full of possibilities and resources. Many nations find it beneficial to establish friendly relationships with America, and most populations admire the American lifestyle. At the same time, it is hard to admit that despite a successfully created image, the country continues to face the problem of poverty. Compared to the U.S. Census Bureau’s findings in 2019, the number of Americans who lived in poverty had grown by three million and reached more than 37.2 million people in 2020 (Shrider et al. 1). Inequality, poor social services, and lack of safety contribute to the poverty growth in the country. People can hardly solve this problem in a short period, but they should know about the government’s responsibilities. Reducing poverty in the United States is possible if such areas as education, employment, and health care are properly examined and improved for the public’s good.
Appropriate education for children of all races and ethnicities is one of the main areas for improvement to combat the burning poverty problem for the American population. Most people realize that if they obtain high education, they will get more chances to find a well-paid job to meet their needs. A median income of a person with no high school diploma is about $30,000, while people with bachelor’s degrees could earn more than $100,000 annually (Shrider et al. 3). Educational attainments significantly define the quality of American life, and the government must provide children with equal educational opportunities. It is not enough for poor populations to develop their reading, writing, and numeracy skills as a part of primary education. To become well-educated and ready to contribute to local progress and development, they need more training to focus on critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making. As soon as children have a solid background for their growth, they will be able to earn high incomes and create successful lives, free from poverty and inequality.
Another obvious solution to the poverty challenge is related to American employment and the conditions under which people are hired. During the last several years, the COVID-19 pandemic has changed millions of lives across the globe, and many Americans have faced one of the worst unemployment crises. If a person loses a job, he/she does neither have a regular source of income nor financial support. Although the U.S. government passed legislation to protect the population, like the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, it did not cover all human needs (Shrider et al. 1). Following social isolation requirements, vaccination, and other precautions provoked social controversies and misunderstandings. Thus, it is expected to improve employment ratings, offer new workplaces, and provide Americans with a chance to earn a living in this pandemic-damaged environment. Poverty does not stop growing because of the coronavirus but strengthens its impact on humans and destroys families where remote work is not an option. Job creation is a good way to reduce poverty, especially when most populations have faced the same pandemic burden and need to restore their employment situation.
Finally, poor health and inadequate care access become the reason for poverty in the United States, and it is important to analyze the healthcare field and stabilize financial well-being. When people are sick, they do not complete their work and become a dysfunctional element in society. Today, the number of people with medical insurance has increased due to Medicare and Medicaid noncash benefits (Shrider et al. 22). However, the Affordable Care Act and other reforms have to be amended to ensure the protection of all citizens. Many people are still obliged to deal with out-of-pocket costs because health coverage does not solve their problems. It is an individual responsibility to invest in personal health, which requires additional expenses that lead to poverty. Women cannot use their maternity leaves because they are afraid of losing their jobs. Men need to put their health at risk and choose dangerous work environments to earn more. Children who want to escape from the poverty burden prefer to be employed at an early age, risking their health and emotional well-being. Thus, healthcare benefits are necessary and significant means to reduce poverty in the American population.
People cannot ignore poverty as a serious problem for Americans and worldwide today. There are many solutions to be considered to reduce poverty ratings and provide individuals with equal opportunities to improve their lives and cover their basic needs. Increasing access to education and health care and creating new workplaces would help Americans deal with poverty at some levels. The U.S. government takes multiple steps to offer appropriate programs and policies to support citizens. However, poverty is not only a governmental problem, and it is high time for every individual to consider his/her contributions to the current situation.
Work Cited
Shrider, Emily A., et al. “Income and Poverty in the United States: 2020: Current Population Reports.” United States Census Bureau, 2021.