Understanding poverty is a key element for social work professionals. It is important to understand the impact living above or below the poverty threshold has on individuals and families. This essay will examine a typical budget from the writer’s perspective and personal experience in comparison to what a similar family living at or under the poverty threshold would experience. The essay will then discuss what changes would be necessary if the writer lived at poverty level. The writer will discuss the decisions that would influence budget cuts to balance the budget. This essay will discuss how her current monthly budget compares with the levels of eligibility for and the benefits from current public assistance programs. Finally, the writer
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I have always had the ability to care for myself and my child and fortunately have not had to rely on any form of social services. However, I can understand how easily a family can slip below the financial levels necessary to maintain their lives and the lives of their families. For instance, consider the costs of the medication, doctor visits, and therapy sessions that my child with ADHD needs. These costs are in addition to the monthly costs I have for medical insurance. For a lower income family, these costs would be impossible, and help would be imperative to the well-being of the child. I can see how the decisions would be cumbersome to make if there were more children or family members involved. What if another child had another condition or spouse was unable to work due to disability? So many factors come into play when attempting to modify a family’s budget.
In conclusion, this exercise has taught me that people living near the poverty threshold would have a difficult time reducing their monthly budget to work with such a small amount of income. The most frugal shopper can only reduce costs of food and clothing so much, and living expenses are limited in how much can be cut there as well. I am grateful that I am able to care for my family, and compassionate to those who are
I have always had the ability to care for myself and my child and fortunately have not had to rely on any form of social services. However, I can understand how easily a family can slip below the financial levels necessary to maintain their lives and the lives of their families. For instance, consider the costs of the medication, doctor visits, and therapy sessions that my child with ADHD needs. These costs are in addition to the monthly costs I have for medical insurance. For a lower income family, these costs would be impossible, and help would be imperative to the well-being of the child. I can see how the decisions would be cumbersome to make if there were more children or family members involved. What if another child had another condition or spouse was unable to work due to disability? So many factors come into play when attempting to modify a family’s budget.
In conclusion, this exercise has taught me that people living near the poverty threshold would have a difficult time reducing their monthly budget to work with such a small amount of income. The most frugal shopper can only reduce costs of food and clothing so much, and living expenses are limited in how much can be cut there as well. I am grateful that I am able to care for my family, and compassionate to those who are