family and poverty

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Welcome to Brainmass.I have chosen the following articles as they are accessible and take on the subject of poverty in families. It is a very specific problem; hence looking for the right articles that are fully accessible is a little challenging. I am sure you are now very familiar with how If you have any questions, just let me know via the feedback section. Good luck with this particular task.

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OTA 105878/Xenia Jones
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Family Issue: Poverty

Poverty is the state of having not much, even nothing. A social condition of lack. In the present social discourse and general economic notion, poverty is the lack of sufficient capability to earn, make money and be able to purchase and afford essential needs and services important in sustaining a way of life. The most severe form of poverty is destitution wherein the most basic human needs - food, water, shelter and clothing are out of rich. In the US, the most common form of poverty is relative poverty wherein individuals and families can still manage to meet their basic needs (including education for children) but lack the usual level of income or resources to qualify as being 'above the poverty line'. In the US however, those in the low income and relative poverty level can avail of government programs and services that can provide their most basic needs. Food stamps can be made available to the homeless, education is free, healthcare can be provided and halfway homes as well as assisted housing can also be made available to families in need. This is one advantage of the US being a welfare state. Even with all these, anyone suffering the effects of poverty from families to individuals are affected by it beyond the lack of access to a particular way of life. Poverty has its psychological and social effect and can lead many to actions and paths in life, that while otherwise shouldn't be, becomes a choice. Consider for example criminality like theft, robbery, pushing illegal drugs as well as prostitution - these become choices that those in that state can turn to, in a bid to alleviate their state of lack. The psychological effect of poverty can bring a state of misery and hopelessness as lack can also bring feelings of being powerless. Due to the current global economic situation and the recent recession, many families in the US are in danger of falling under the red line. And, with job creation still an issue, many heads of families who otherwise are capable of working are finding looking for employment nigh on impossible. When heads of families are unable to work, it follows that the way of life that the family is used to crumbles. They will be unable to buy the food products that they used to afford, or pay for the mortgage, for the loans and all the other necessary bills, services and purchases that they undertake to maintain a certain lifestyle for their families. All members will be affected and suffer harsh realities of poverty. As such, poverty as a family issue is of great import because it is timely and in doing research on the topic, we will be able to find out the true picture of poverty and find ways in alleviating such situations as well as provide solutions.

Article 1

Title: Family Quality of Life: A Qualitative Inquiry
Authors/Author: Denise Poston, Ann Turnbull, Jiyeon Park, Hasheem Mannan, Janet Marquis, and Mian Wang
Publication Details: Journal of Mental Retardation, Volume 41, No. 5: 313-328, October 2003.
Method: Qualitative
URL: http://kuscholarworks.ku.edu/dspace/bitstream/1808/6055/1/FQL3_Family_Quality_of_Life8_07.pdf

Summary:

This particular qualitative study investigated the so-called conceptualization of the family quality of life. The researchers put together Focus Groups and also conducted individual interviews with over 187 people - individuals, family members of children with disability, service providers and administrator. The setting was 2 pronged - urban and rural to illicit the difference in the notion of what family and family life is about between people who live in such different settings. 10 domains of family life became the key focus of discussion. The participants themselves raised their own concerns about certain elements of family life and also suggested sub-domains of study as well as indicators. The implications of the research ...