The Connection Between Poverty and Hunger

Poverty and hunger are intertwined. People who are living at or below the poverty levels are more likely to go hungry. Because they have no other choice, they skip meals, eating only at minimal levels to survive. Sometimes people who are living in poverty go without food or extended periods of time. They simply cannot afford to have enough to eat, and whatever money or resources that they do receive is dedicated to food.  According to Global Issues, people usually suffer from hunger because they do not have the money that they need to purchase food. If more people lived above poverty levels and had means to afford food, shelter, clothing, and other basic needs (and beyond those needs) fewer people will suffer from hunger.

Therefore, people need jobs or decent income levels so they can afford to eat, and in many cases the ability to obtain these jobs, and the availability of well-paying jobs depends on individual levels of education and political decisions. An editorial by Helen F. Ladd and Edward B. Fisk, Class Matters, Why Don’t We Admit it published in the New York Times cites the connection between education and poverty.  Children who are poor are less likely to achieve at high levels in school.  It is also safe to say that a large number of people who are not well-educated are more likely to suffer from poverty. People who are not well-educated and live in poverty are more likely to go hungry.

The Poverty Cycle

The cycle continues. People who live in poverty are caught in this vicious cycle, because their children do not achieve as well as children in more advantaged areas. It is possible that the children will have challenges. They will possible have problems landing higher-paying jobs that will allow them to pay for their basic needs and beyond. Instead, many of these young adults will land in jobs that will pay at or just above the minimum wage. They too, will live from paycheck to paycheck, and they could end up lacking suitable nutrition.

Economics of Poverty

The economic climate, the availability of jobs as well as the qualifications of the people to fulfill the positions in their communities impact poverty and hunger. People who are currently living in poverty need to have desired skills, so they can land available positions. Transportation to access the better-paying job is important, too. Sometimes the well-paying jobs are not in the communities where people need jobs the most.

 Emotional Impact of Poverty

Oftentimes people who live in poverty are dealing with daily stresses that make it more challenging for them to concentrate on obtaining additional training that they need to obtain suitable jobs. When you worry about keeping the electricity on and paying for meals, it’s difficult to concentrate on coursework. Needless to say, children in poverty would find it difficult to pay attention in class when they are hungry and living in an unstable environment.

Many people who are living in poverty work every day, but it is extremely difficult to maintain a low-paying job, work many hours, and strive for a better work situation at the same time. Hunger in America goes beyond not having enough to eat. This ongoing problem is due to several different factors, including political and economic reasons.

Class Matters, Why Won’t We Admit It

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/12/opinion/the-unaddressed-link-between-poverty-and-education.html?pagewanted=all

 

 

Global Issues: Solving World Hunger Means Solving World Poverty

http://www.globalissues.org/article/8/solving-world-hunger-means-solving-world-poverty

C. Williams is a freelance writer who writes about a variety of social and technical topics, including those that relate to how homeless shelter software can assist others.