There are two ways to categorize poverty in a sociologist viewpoint. "Absolute poverty simply refers to the condition in which one is unable to afford the necessities of life, whereas relative poverty refers to the condition in which one is unable to afford that which is considered a normal standard of living in society.(Heiner, 39)" Absolute poverty is far more worse than relative poverty because they could quite possible not have a house or food to live on for everyday survival. Robert Kuttner states, "There are basically five different categories in which each poverty stricken person can be place in. 1) Those who are not able to work because they are to

o old, too young, disabled, or tied down by social responsibility. 2) Those who are able and qualified to work but can not find work. 3) Those who are not equipped to fill available job either because they are undereducated. Or, because they're old skills have become outdated. 4) Those social and personal problems have brought them to a point of self-defeating discouragement. 5) Those who are underemployment, underpaid, or unable to get a fair price for what they have to sell.(pg.2)" After defining which people are in poverty these categories can answer my question of why are they in poverty.

For political factors, meritocracy would be interconnected with the minority race. Meritocracy basically is the social classification by an individual's personal ability. The top wealthy and powerful elite population produces meritocracy. These are the people who believe that "the fundamental assumption of capitalism is individual gain without regard for what the resulting behaviors may mean for other people, especially those in poverty (Schifferes pg.5)". Every social class has different values and means of living but the most important value that should be equal between each class is the value of education.

More fortunate people must also be willing to help their fellow citizens in need. Volunteer programs should be overflowing with people who want to help. For example, Habitat for Humanity is one organization who builds houses for the needy. If everyone dedicated some of their extra time and money in organizations that help "poor" people, poverty would begin to see a decrease. There are many other organizations that help "poor" people, and if everyone pitches in, one world problem may be diminished in the future.

For social factors, discrimination would be the variable that causes poverty. Racial discrimination from an employer could lead for that person to not receive a higher paying job, in which could lead to violence from the potential employee towards the employer. In turn crime could be committed

Some common words found in the essay are:
Robert Kuttner, Census Bureau, Habitat Humanity, United Social, Instead Rich, Poor Online, economic development, USA Poverty, help poor, substandard schools, poverty economic, racial discrimination, Allyn Bacon, organizations help poor, issue world everyday, help poor people, substance abuse, refers condition, education children, preventing poverty, factor preventing, refers condition unable, condition unable afford,
Approximate Word count = 1359
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)