Poverty and Social Inequality Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Poverty and Social Inequality - Essay Example This essay seeks to examine the social problem of poverty and social inequality in terms of its current situation, how it affects people, the attitudes of people towards poverty. This study will delve in the main topic of poverty and social inequality under three main topics namely, the current poverty situation in America, The impact and influence of poverty on Americans and finally the attitudes towards poverty in America. The current poverty situation in America According to Locke (2012), the current social inequalities in America are manifested in the three main social classes namely the rich, the middle class and the poor citizens. The rich people have access to most of the country’s resources while the poor and the middle class have limited access to resources. There is a huge gap between the rich and the poor in the American society. The current economic situation is characterized with unemployment and high costs of living especially for the middle and lower classes (Lo cke, 2012). Huge increases in taxes for the middle and poor class citizens have only contributed to the unequal state of affairs. Locke (2012) claims that the current economic situation maintains social classes in the society by locking the poor people in the country from accessing quality education and decent jobs thus maintaining a vicious circle of poverty for most poor and middle class individuals. Yglesias (2012) on the other hand argues that the current poverty situation in the US emerged as a result of historical unequal distribution of resources and accumulation of wealth in the hands of a few individuals. The disparities in the social classes and the height of social inequalities became very clear during the economic recession (Yglesias, 2012). Despite these challenges, both the rich and the poor continue to work hard to reach their American dream which is to become all they ever wanted to be (Yglesias, 2012). One’s social class or poverty does not restrict them from working hard to achieve their dreams. Success in the American society is considered to be in terms of material possessions. According to Yglesias (2012), the current social class inequalities and poverty in the US are not stumbling blocks for most people, since they always find their own other ways of overcoming their class differences in order to achieve their desired goals. Anonymous. (2012) seems to agree with the opinion that Social class differences in the current economic situation in the US does not affect the mentality of the majority of the people in reaching their potential despite their class. It is the hard work that people put in whatever they do that makes the difference and not one’s current social class or poverty situation. The impact and influence of poverty on Americans Yglesias (2012), points out that poverty has had a huge impact on most citizens in the middle and poor class families. With the huge tax burden on the little income earned by the poor, they cannot access the best resources such as education, and health. Most of the poor citizens drop out of school at an early age (Yglesias, 2012). Poor American women get married earlier and bear children at a much younger age as

Progressive Era Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

Progressive Era - Essay Example According to Campell1, progressives were mainly comprised of middle class citizens who desired things to change. They believed that education and information were the key towards a better and fair society. Simon argues that, historically, there have there have been two primary chains of progressive thought concerning the proper relationship between politics and faith: secular and one emerging from religious social beliefs2. Secular progressive thought was associated with enlightened linearism. It is sceptical about particular religious beliefs, and exigent about keeping religion out of politics and politics out of religion. Thomas Jefferson and James Maddison advocated for religious conscience, freedom of conscience and separation of church and state. Liberalism caused a premium on rationality, self-determination, and personal morality above faith, public morality and church authority. Liberalism looked to establish a constitutional order in America that would stop the merging of government and religion that was prevalent in Europe3. During the progressive era, many religious leaders viewed liberalism as a taboo and worked hard to stop its spread. The Catholic Church was the dominant church at the time. They discorded with the liberal conception of faith and politics until the reconciling of Catholic teaching with liberal democracy. Eventually, these progressive beliefs triumphed in the country since many Americans accepted that one can practise their faith while keeping some religious beliefs from taking over the government and jeopardising the religious freedom of others. Another powerful chain of progressive thought came directly from religious beliefs during the social gospel movement. The preachers argued that they should apply everyone their teachings to solving public problems. Several protestant ministers and theologians in the 19th century such as Jennings Bryan and settlement founders such as Jane Addams espoused this belief4. Later,