Introduction
Poverty is a global challenge that requires individual, national, and international efforts. It is measured by the ratio of individuals living below $1.90 per day (World Bank, 2022). In addition to financial limitations, poverty prevents people from accessing quality healthcare, which may contribute to higher mortality rates. Social, economic, and environmental factors are the key elements linked to poverty. Unforeseen pandemics have also led to higher poverty rates. Notably, wealth creation and equitable resource distribution may aid in poverty eradication.
Current Statistics on Poverty and Homelessness
Understanding past and present poverty statistics is essential for developing effective policies to reduce the rate of poverty at the national level. According to Oluwatayo and Ojo (2018), poverty rates are higher in African countries than in other regions of the world. This may be attributed to poor economic structures. Data shows that at least 45% of Africans live below the poverty line (Oluwatayo & Ojo, 2018). With better policies, poverty rates can be significantly lowered.
The Social Context of Poverty
Poverty is characterized by elements that define how people access resources, where they live, and their means of interaction. Therefore, it is a social problem that is best understood by narrowing down on its social context. Based on the point of focus, poverty can be categorized as absolute or relative. While absolute poverty is measured based on the poverty line, relative poverty relies on comparative measures (Beck et al., 2020). Cultural views, family challenges and social classes are interlinked.
Social Factors Contributing to Poverty
Since poverty affects individuals and communities within which they live, social factors contributing to poverty should be prioritized for effective poverty eradication. Some people attribute poverty to personal attributes such as laziness and a negative mindset toward work. Others feel that poverty is a result of poor structures formed by relevant authorities whose effects reach downwards to the grassroots. Age, employment, education, crime and racial prejudice are among the top social factors. Resultant challenges include poor sanitation and lack of healthcare.
Employment
From the definition of poverty, it is clear that wealth creation is a crucial element for sustainable living. Employment denotes the ability of individuals to access and acquire profitable opportunities from which they derive their basic needs. According to Oluwatayo & Ojo (2018), unemployment rates are higher in developing nations than in other regions of the world. However, it is crucial to understand that employment should be accompanied by equitable remuneration for it to effectively alleviate poverty.
Education and Crime
In society, individuals try to fit within the set standards by all means. Poverty leads people to commit crimes to achieve their basic needs. Similarly, uneducated individuals have limited chances of acquiring meaningful employment, which may lead them to join violent and criminal gangs for sustainability. When jobs are created, they fail to accommodate uneducated people who perpetrate crime and poverty. In essence, a combination of these two factors leads to a vicious cycle of poverty.
Age and Race
Many countries have set labor laws that limit the employment of children below a certain age. While such youngsters depend on their parents for basic needs, they may be subjected to poor lifestyles until they attain legal employment age. In addition to age, racial discrimination is among the leading causes of poverty in many regions. Racism hinders people from accessing essential resources, forcing them to remain in poverty. This is because race and wealth creation have a strong connection with the latter depending on racial perceptions.
Actual Solutions to Poverty
In the rapid industrialization age, the approach to poverty eradication needs to be focused on long-term gains. Therefore, policies should be made to facilitate personal empowerment through initiatives such as self-employment. Since children are more affected by poverty than adults, education for children should be prioritized along with tough restrictions on early marriages. Political stability should also be maintained to promote peaceful working environments. Lastly, it would be crucial to ensure that workers are fairly remunerated.
Comparison between Historical Solutions and Actual Solutions
Understanding the past and present helps in efficient policy formulation. Historically, many stereotypes were associated with poverty and individuals were limited in their approach regarding personal growth and empowerment. Over the years, the perspectives on poverty have changed and people are more aware of the great need for long-term solutions through equality and fair representation. In essence, actual solutions differ from historical solutions by emphasizing the quality of life and community development rather than focusing on monetary gains only.
Conclusion
According to World Bank data, at least 652 million people live in poverty. Most of these are located in developing countries where limited employment opportunities, lack of healthcare, and unequal resource distribution are critical factors. Comparatively, children are more affected by poverty than adults due to labor laws. From the research presented herein, practical solutions to poverty will be drawn from individuals and national commitment toward growth. Education, healthcare, and quality employment are among the potential solutions to this challenge.
References
Beck, V., Hahn, H., & Lepenies, R. (2020). Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Poverty Measurement, Epistemic Injustices and Social Activism. In V. Beck, H. Hahn, and R. Lepenies(eds) Dimensions of Poverty. Philosophy and Poverty (pp. 1-20), Springer.
Oluwatayo, I. B., & Ojo, A. O. (2018). Walking through a tightrope: The challenge of economic growth and poverty in Africa. The Journal of Developing Areas, 52(1), 59-69.
World Bank. (2022). Poverty and inequality platform.