POVERTY
Social Studies Social
Issues Portfolio
TABLE OF CONTENTS
01. INTRODUCTION
What are Social Issues? 03
02. POVERTY
What is Poverty? 04
Causes of Poverty 05
Consequences of Poverty 07
03. REDUCING POVERTY
Ways to reduce poverty 09
Government Strategies to Combat Poverty 11
How can a Family protect themselves
from poverty? 12
04. HOW IS POVERTY A PROBLEM
Why are there serious Concerns
about POverty? 13
Why do teenagers experience poverty 14
Why are there serious Concerns
about poverty? 15
05. CONCLUSION
Summary 16
2
WHAT ARE
SOCIAL ISSUES
Social issues are widespread problems that
affect many people within a society. These
complex challenges often require
collaborative efforts to address. Some
common examples include poverty,
inequality, discrimination, and environmental
concerns.
3
WHAT IS POVERTY
Poverty is a condition characterized by a
severe lack of basic necessities like food,
clothing, shelter, healthcare, and education. It
can be measured in two ways:
Absolute Poverty Relative Poverty
Where individuals Where individuals
cannot meet their have significantly
fundamental needs. fewer resources than
the average person in
a society.
4
CONFLICT
Political conflict and instability are key
drivers of poverty, as they cause
CAUSES OF displacement, destroy infrastructure,
and disrupt governance. Conflicts force
POVERTY millions to flee their homes, leaving
them without access to essential
services like food, healthcare, and
education, often leading to
LACK OF EDUCATION overcrowded refugee camps. In places
The high cost of education, including like Syria and Yemen, ongoing conflict
school fees and supplies, keeps many has deepened poverty by destroying
poor children from attending school. infrastructure such as schools and
Without education, they lack the skills hospitals, hindering recovery and
to get better jobs, trapping them in growth. Furthermore, weak or corrupt
poverty. Education is essential for governments struggle to provide
breaking the cycle, but its cost remains essential services, exacerbating
a significant barrier for many families poverty. Instability also disrupts
economies by discouraging
investment, limiting trade, and
INEQUALITY AND increasing inflation, making it harder for
MARGINALIZATION countries to rebuild .
Inequality and marginalization trap
people in poverty by denying them
access to resources like education and
jobs. Discrimination based on gender,
ethnicity, or social status
excludes individuals from
opportunities, reinforcing
the poverty cycle. For
example, a widow may
lack the rights or support
her husband would have
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had, deepening her
family’s poverty.
to education or job opportunities,
trapping people in poverty. Additionally,
large families in impoverished areas often
struggle to provide for all members,
perpetuating the cycle of poverty.
CAUSES OF
POOR INFRASTRUCTURE
POVERTY A lack of infrastructure is a major
cause of poverty, particularly in rural
areas. The absence of essential
POLITICAL INSTABILITY services such as roads, bridges,
Governments that are corrupt or electricity, and communication
unstable can create an environment networks isolates communities,
where poverty thrives. Poor governance making it difficult for people to
leads to ineffective public policies, access education, healthcare, work,
misallocation of resources, and lack of and markets. This isolation limits
social services. Countries experiencing opportunities for economic and
frequent political turmoil, such as those social advancement, as traveling long
in parts of Sub-Saharan Africa, often see distances for basic services is costly
economic setbacks, making it harder for and time-consuming. As a result,
individuals to escape poverty people in these areas face barriers
to improving their living conditions,
OVERPOPULATION reinforcing the cycle of poverty .
Overpopulation contributes to poverty
by depleting limited resources like food,
water, and healthcare, making it harder
for people to access basic needs. Rapid
population growth,
especially in poor regions,
stretches these resources
and leads to overcrowded
conditions. This results in
poorer living standards,
environmental
6
degradation, and limited
access
CONSEQUENCES
OF POVERTY
The consequences of poverty are
wide-ranging and can deeply impact
individuals, families, and communities.
EDUCATION BARRIERS
Key effects include: Children in poverty often have lower
CAUSES OF
educational outcomes due to lack of
resources, support, and stable home
UNSTABLE HOUSING
Families may experience homelessness
POVERTY
environments, leading to limited future
opportunities.
or housing instability, leading to a lack of
security and potential displacement. SOCIAL EXCLUSION
Poverty often results in social isolation,
discrimination, and a lack of participation
in community activities, which can further
marginalize individuals.
MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL
STRESS
Constant financial stress and insecurity
can lead to anxiety, depression, and other
mental health issues, affecting overall
well-being.
INCREASED CRIME AND
VIOLENCE
Poverty can lead to higher crime rates
and violence as individuals struggle with
unmet needs and resort to illegal means
for survival.
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ECONOMIC STRAIN
Individuals in poverty face difficulty in
accessing good jobs, building savings,
and achieving financial stability, which
can perpetuate the cycle of poverty
across generations.
UNSTABLE HOUSING
Poverty limits access to opportunities HEALTH ISSUES
for personal and professional growth, Limited access to healthcare, poor
making it harder for individuals to break nutrition, and unsafe living conditions
the cycle of poverty. lead to chronic illness, higher mortality
rates, and mental health struggles.
These consequences not
only affect the individuals
directly experiencing
poverty but can also have
long-term impacts on
society as a whole.
8
1. EDUCATION
Improve access to quality
education and job training for
better career opportunities.
2. JOB CREATION
Promote economic growth
and stable, well-paying jobs.
3. INCREASE WAGES
Raise the minimum wage and
improve worker benefits to
ensure a livable income.
4. HEALTHCARE
ACCESS
Improve access to quality
education and job training for
better career opportunities.
5. TACKLE INEQUALITY
Combat systemic discrimination
to ensure equal access to
opportunities for all groups.
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6. CHEAPER HOUSING
Increase affordable housing
options to reduce
homelessness.
7. SUPPORT FAMILIES
Provide policies like child tax
credits, affordable childcare, and
parental leave.
8. FINANCIAL
EDUCATION
Teach financial literacy to help
people manage money and
avoid debt.
9. COMMUNITY
4.
INVESTMENTS
Focus onaccess
Improve developing
to quality
education and
underserved communities
job training for
with
better career
resources andopportunities.
opportunities.
10. SOCIAL SAFETY NETS
Strengthen programs like food
assistance, housing support, and
unemployment benefits.
10
GOVERNMENT STRATEGIES
TO COMBAT POVERTY
1 Increase wages
Raising wages, particularly the minimum wage, is a key step
in addressing economic inequality. By ensuring fair
compensation, especially for low-income earners, we can
help close the gap between the wealthy and the working
class, providing more financial stability and opportunities
for those most vulnerable.
Affordable Housing
2
Housing is a fundamental human right, and access to
affordable, safe, and secure homes is essential for economic
and social well-being. Increased investment in housing solutions
will reduce homelessness, stabilize families, and ensure
equitable access to living conditions that support health,
education, and employment opportunities.
3 Child poverty strategy
A comprehensive strategy to combat child poverty must prioritize
children’s well-being across all levels of government. This includes
clear targets, timelines, and accountability measures, as
demonstrated by Scotland’s Child Poverty (Scotland) Act of 2017.
By mandating delivery plans and annual reports, governments
can ensure consistent progress in reducing poverty and building a
better future for children.
Reduce 4
Underemployment
Addressing underemployment involves creating stable, full-
time jobs with fair wages and opportunities for skill
development. By reducing reliance on precarious or part-
time work, individuals can achieve economic security and
contribute more effectively to their communities and the
broader economy.
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1 FINANCIAL PLANNING
Create a budget, prioritize saving, and build an
emergency fund to manage unexpected
expenses.
2 EDUCATION AND SKILLS
Encourage ongoing education and skill
development to increase earning potential.
3 STABLE INCOME
Maintain stable employment and seek multiple income
streams to reduce financial vulnerability.
4 HEALTHCARE
Invest in preventive health care and ensure access to
health insurance to avoid medical debt.
5 DEBT MANAGEMENT
Avoid high-interest debt and manage existing debts
carefully to prevent financial strain.
6 ADAPTABILITY
Stay flexible in response to changing circumstances,
adjusting career paths or living situations as needed.
12
WHY ARE THERE
SERIOUS CONCERNS
ABOUT POVERTY?
Poverty also perpetuates cycles of
inequality by limiting access to
education, healthcare, and
resources. Children often prioritize
household needs over schooling,
reducing their chances of breaking
free from poverty. Education,
especially for mothers, is crucial for
improving health, raising wages, and
fostering economic growth. Long-
term solutions, such as teaching
sustainable farming techniques and
improving agricultural productivity,
can address systemic issues, Poverty also perpetuates cycles of
ensuring food security and inequality by limiting access to
providing families with education, healthcare, and
opportunities for a better future. resources. Children often prioritize
household needs over schooling,
reducing their chances of breaking
free from poverty. Education,
especially for mothers, is crucial
for improving health, raising wages,
and fostering economic growth.
Long-term solutions, such as
teaching sustainable farming
techniques and improving
agricultural productivity, can
address systemic issues, ensuring
food security and providing
families with opportunities for a
better future.
13
Family Economic Struggles
Living in low-income households with limited
financial support.
Lack of Education or Skills
Not having completed school or
gained job skills for well-paying work.
Early Parenthood
Teen parents face additional financial
pressures.
Homelessness or Instability
Experiencing family breakdowns or
homelessness.
Mental Health Issues
Struggling with trauma or mental health
challenges that affect education and employment.
Limited Job Opportunities
Teenagers often face challenges finding well-
paying jobs due to age or lack of experience.
14
WHY IS IT
IMPORTANT TO
PROTECT ONESELF
FROM POVERTY ?
Protecting oneself from
poverty is crucial because
poverty can have far-reaching
consequences on health, well-
being, and overall quality of life.
It can limit access to basic
needs like food, housing, and
healthcare, and restrict
opportunities for education
and personal growth. Those in
poverty are more vulnerable to
mental and physical health
problems, social exclusion, and
cycles of disadvantage that
can persist for generations.
Furthermore, poverty can
hinder one’s ability to plan for
the future or make long-term
decisions, leading to an
increased risk of experiencing
further financial insecurity.
In addition, protecting oneself from poverty can help maintain personal dignity
and ensure greater social mobility, contributing to a more stable, fulfilling life
and a stronger, more resilient society as a whole
16
Summary
Social Issuses: Poverty
Poverty is a complex issue To alleviate poverty, governments
with far-reaching and communities can implement
consequences, affecting various solutions. Increasing
millions worldwide. Its causes wages, investing in affordable
are multifaceted, including housing, and implementing child
lack of education and job poverty strategies are crucial
skills, conflict and instability, steps. Additionally, reducing
climate change, underemployment, addressing
overpopulation, poor public climate change, and investing in
works, and government sustainable infrastructure can
corruption. These factors lead help break the cycle of poverty.
to limited access to basic By addressing these issues, we
necessities like healthcare, can create a more equitable
education, and stable society where everyone has
housing. access to opportunities and
resources for a better life.
16
THANK
YOU
A 9.2 Presentation
MEET OUR
TEAM
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NATASCIA
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18
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