Week 3 Case Study 3.3 Poverty in America Stacey Curry Business Ethics Upper Iowa University Professor Kalai McHan TRY TO TURN POVERTY TO POSITIVE In the time of the Great Depression back in 1930’s, where a time where four million Americans had fallen into poverty. Then in 2008 the economy experienced a serious economic meltdown crisis and recession, at this time 44 million adults now live below the poverty line officially defined as an income below $10,830 for a single adult or less than $22,050 for a family of four (Shaw, 2013 p.132). The economy today in my opinion, where poverty is still a huge impact due to the cost of living going up but the income is not changing and it appears people are digging themselves into bigger holes. Those in poverty don’t think they are being treated fairly with the way they are living compared to the rich in our society, which is exactly the truth. On the other hand, the rich believe they have earned that money and don’t think the poor should have that wealthy living because they haven’t worked for it. This causes major issues between our social classes because poverty isn’t fair and justice is supposed to be about everyone being treated equally (DQ 2, pg. 133). We have caused much of the poverty in this country by ourselves without knowing or at least willing to admit it. Our moral obligation to society is to help those who are needy, homeless, handicapped and undertrained; give them a chance to try and live and be able to have employment opportunities. Other steps that could be taken to reduce poverty include reducing taxes, the cost of living and make healthcare free for everyone. Increasing social mobility can also help reduce poverty. The biggest way poverty could be reduced is if employment opportunities increase; with that being said, businesses could reach out to the poor and either open up employment opportunities or stop charging such high prices so the poor could actually afford their way of living. Businesses can also volunteer or contribute food, clothing, books, etc. and be involved with the poor. This can help them look forward to life as well as give business a good name for contribution to the poor (Shaw, 2013) (DQ#3 pg.133).
