Poverty

What is poverty? Why do so many people live in poverty? Poverty is the state of lacking the most basic necessities in everyday life such as food, water, shelter, etc… Why? Well its because the poor simply can’t afford such basic things.

Over three billion people live in poverty around the world. The main reasons that cause poverty are low wealth and productivity of the poor, shortage and increase of products, and, overpopulation. Many ask the question, “Well why don’t they just put up businesses or look for work?” Poor health and lack of education severely affects this. I personally believe that overpopulation is the main cause of poverty. There are over three billion people that live in poverty, and soon there will be much more because of the ever-growing reproduction rates. Imagine a family of three, the father barely able to feed his wife and child and soon enough, they have another child. That’s one more hungry mouth to feed. The population will increase and increase and increase, no way to stop it anytime soon, birth control laws would have to be enforced to control this. If food and for food water prices go up, then the ones that have jobs would need higher income to support themselves or their family. An estimated 18,000,000 people die each year due to poverty related issues, most of which are women and children. Mothers’ can’t afford to look after their new-borns, sometimes just leaving them to die out on the streets. As a result, most of the areas affected strongly by poverty tend to be more violent. One will kill another human being just for something as basic as a few bottles of water. What happens next? Riots break out, the rich get held for ransom and if things get worse, revolutions will be started against the government and the rich.

The recession in 2008 hit many middle class families. They did not have the funds to maintain even their own house, throwing them onto the streets and leaving them begging for food and water. Many of the top companies in the US have declared bankruptcy such as Ford, Chrysler, Lehman Brothers and many more around the US and Wall Street. Many of the employees that worked for these companies got cut, increasing the unemployment rate to 6.5%, the highest since 1944. Some companies have cut over 8,000 jobs just to be able to operate and stay in the market. Imagine 8,000 people losing their jobs just like that. How will they survive? The truth is, you really can’t.

Are there ways to stop the deaths due to poverty related issues? Yes. Many foundations such as the Red Cross, UNICEF, and KARE help treat the poor and educate them. When these people get educated, their chances of surviving and getting a job would increase undoubtedly. They would know how to manage their funds, apply for a job and hopefully, sharing their knowledge with others. Donating to these charities helps put children through school and provide for their food and water. What will the future hold for them? Hopefully something good. Hopefully.