We exist in a world where the United States is one of the most prosperous nations; however, we are fighting poverty among our people. Poverty is a state in which people do not have acceptable means of money or material goods. Some may argue that there is no reason why people should be below the poverty line if the government provides social assistance. What some may not be aware of or understand is that these government programs are not always effective and can even be inconsistent, leaving people who need support helpless and frustrated. Poverty can be seen as a constant consequence of the way welfare systems are structured. There are essential elements that are driving many individuals and families into poverty include employment opportunities, the inability to meet the welfare of high living standards and costs of living, and inadequate education. Poverty in America exists because the economic system is organized in ways that encourage the accumulation of wealth on the one hand, and then create conditions of scarcity that make poverty inevitable. Due to poverty, there are families with two parents, with one or two children, who work in the workforce, but because they only earn the minimum wage, they fall below the poverty line. Who gives the government the right to say that someone's means of income should be sensible to support a family? There are traditional workers who consume the minimum wage of $7.25 an hour and argue that it is not adequate to provide and support a family. According to studies from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Consumer Expenditure Survey, low-income families spend a larger share of their income on food. Families in a… middle of paper… need access to high-quality jobs with decent wages and benefits. And this struggle only grows as the costs of basic necessities, such as food and healthcare, rise. People may debate whether the prolonged spread of poverty is morally acceptable or what an acceptable level of inequality might be, but there is nothing acceptable about it. poverty. There are various flaws in the methodology used to determine how many families are considered poor by certain standards. Official poverty rates are calculated by comparing pre-tax income to the poverty level. Policymakers need to place more emphasis on strengthening the middle class, as well as support programs that provide education and training to low-income families. Promoting high-quality jobs with decent wages will and can help low-income workers balance work and family commitments.