Chapter 1

Education

Education is one of the most important factors in determining one's future. With higher education, people are more likely to obtain higher-paying jobs and have better opportunities in the long run. However, access to education is not always equal, especially for those living in poverty. Children from low-income families are more likely to attend underfunded schools, which can limit their opportunities for success later in life. “Over 14 million children in the United States live in poverty”, and they are more likely to experience problems in school due to this issue. Furthermore, they are less likely to graduate from high school and attend college, which has a strong consequence for their economic opportunities later on in life whether that be getting a job or doing some sort of work that requires a high school diploma.

Lack of Access to Healthcare

Access to healthcare is another important factor in determining one's economic opportunities. Those without access to affordable healthcare are likelier to have chronic health conditions that can limit their ability to work and increase their medical expenses. Moreover, they may not receive preventative care or early treatment for illnesses, which can lead to more severe health problems and higher healthcare costs in the long run.” More than 27 million people in the United States do not have health insurance”, and those living in poverty are more likely to be uninsured due to the lack of money and options that are given to low-income families. Lack of access to healthcare can worsen the cycle of poverty throughout the country and prevent people from following the so-called American dream, as families may be forced to choose between paying for medical expenses or other necessities such as food and rent.

Inequality and Discrimination throughout

Inequality and discrimination continue to be persistent issues in the United States, contributing to poverty by limiting economic opportunities for certain groups of people. Discrimination can take many forms, including racial, gender, and age. Those who experience discrimination are more likely to have lower-paying jobs and limited access to education and healthcare. “Women in the United States earn only 82 cents for every dollar earned by men”, and this wage gap is even wider for women of color. Discrimination can limit economic opportunities for women and people of color, contributing to higher rates of poverty within these communities.

This relate back to the fact that Women don't get the same amount of respect when it comes to pay and how Economic changes and globalization have had a significant impact on the American Dream and the economy as a whole. As the economy becomes more globalized, many jobs have been outsourced to other countries, leaving fewer job opportunities for those in the United States. Furthermore, technological advancements have led to automation, which can eliminate certain jobs altogether. “Manufacturing jobs in the United States have declined significantly since the 1960s, and many of these jobs have been outsourced to other countries.” This has left many workers without job opportunities and has contributed to the cycle of poverty. Without certain jobs in the United States being available, it prevents families from making money and sustaining their overall lives.

Family and Background

Family structure and support can also play a role in determining one's economic opportunities. The more they are exposed to, the more they have and can take advantage of. Children from single-parent households are more likely to live in poverty since they were not exposed to much due to money issues and may have limited access to resources and support systems. Furthermore, those who lack support from family members may have a harder time accessing education and healthcare, which can limit their opportunities for success. "Over 9 million children in the United States live in households headed by a single parent.”This is sad to hear and is very concerning since most children won't have both parents to guide them through everything. Making mistakes later in life can lead to living on the streets and not being able to experience the American dream.

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