Poverty
Poverty
Poverty (pronunciation: /ˈpɒvərti/) is a state or condition in which a person or community lacks the financial resources and essentials for a minimum standard of living.
Etymology
The term "poverty" comes from the Old French povrete, which is derived from the Latin paupertas meaning "poor".
Definition
Poverty is defined as the state of being extremely poor, with the lack of means necessary to meet basic personal needs such as food, clothing, and shelter. The World Bank defines extreme poverty as living on less than US$1.90 per day.
Types of Poverty
There are several types of poverty, including:
- Absolute poverty: This is the most extreme form of poverty, defined by the lack of basic human needs, which commonly includes clean and fresh water, nutrition, health care, education, clothing and shelter.
- Relative poverty: This is the economic inequality in the location or society in which people live.
- Situational poverty: This is a temporary type of poverty based on occurrence of an adverse event, such as a severe health issue or job loss.
- Generational poverty: This is a cycle of poverty that can span across several generations within a family.
Causes of Poverty
The causes of poverty are numerous and often intertwined, they can include:
- Unemployment: Lack of jobs that pay a living wage can lead to poverty.
- Lack of education: Without access to quality education, individuals may have difficulty finding well-paying jobs.
- Overpopulation: In areas where resources are scarce, overpopulation can lead to poverty.
- Economic inequality: When wealth is unevenly distributed in society, it can lead to poverty.
Effects of Poverty
The effects of poverty can be far-reaching, impacting areas such as:
- Health: Poverty can lead to malnutrition, mental health issues, and increased susceptibility to diseases.
- Education: Children living in poverty often have limited access to quality education.
- Crime: Areas with high poverty rates often have high crime rates as well.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Poverty
- Wikipedia's article - Poverty
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