Identification of a Social Problem
Walden University SOCW
6361: Social Policy Dr.
13:54:30 GMT -05:00
, Describe a current social problem and the vulnerable population it impacts.
Poverty is a social issue that exists throughout the entire world. This issue has been
around for decades, and will probably never end. While this social issue affects multiple
populations, I believe that it affects youth the most. Especially since youth are born into it, and it
is something that is out of their control. Najman et al. (2010) states that when children grow up
in poverty long term consequences may occur. It has also been proven that poverty experienced
early on in life affects cognitive and other developmental outcomes. (Najman et al., 2010).
Furthermore, poverty affects youth in so many ways both physically and emotionally.
How/when has this problem been identified historically, and what were the actions
taken to address this concern?
When individuals hear the word poverty or speak on social issues, most people already
know what poverty refers to, which is struggling to provide basic necessities for yourself or
family members to live a healthy and happy life. Even though there are people with actual
homes, and maybe even jobs some may not realize they are still considered a part of the poverty
population. Poverty was first introduced back in the early 1900’s after the second war. After
statistics were revealed it showed that there was a breakdown from those with money, and those
without. While in my opinion poverty is more than just the amount of money you have, I believe
it also has something to do with where you live, but of course where individuals live is
determined by how much money they have. In 1947 the U.N Bureau of Statistics revealed that
the average amount of income in the U.S for 1 household was about $1,400.00, while other
countries only had a household income of less than $400.00 to about $900.00. While the U.S
income trumps other countries, those countries became low income because they could not keep
up with the U.S standards (The development of poverty, 2017).
13:54:30 GMT -05:00
Walden University SOCW
6361: Social Policy Dr.
13:54:30 GMT -05:00
, Describe a current social problem and the vulnerable population it impacts.
Poverty is a social issue that exists throughout the entire world. This issue has been
around for decades, and will probably never end. While this social issue affects multiple
populations, I believe that it affects youth the most. Especially since youth are born into it, and it
is something that is out of their control. Najman et al. (2010) states that when children grow up
in poverty long term consequences may occur. It has also been proven that poverty experienced
early on in life affects cognitive and other developmental outcomes. (Najman et al., 2010).
Furthermore, poverty affects youth in so many ways both physically and emotionally.
How/when has this problem been identified historically, and what were the actions
taken to address this concern?
When individuals hear the word poverty or speak on social issues, most people already
know what poverty refers to, which is struggling to provide basic necessities for yourself or
family members to live a healthy and happy life. Even though there are people with actual
homes, and maybe even jobs some may not realize they are still considered a part of the poverty
population. Poverty was first introduced back in the early 1900’s after the second war. After
statistics were revealed it showed that there was a breakdown from those with money, and those
without. While in my opinion poverty is more than just the amount of money you have, I believe
it also has something to do with where you live, but of course where individuals live is
determined by how much money they have. In 1947 the U.N Bureau of Statistics revealed that
the average amount of income in the U.S for 1 household was about $1,400.00, while other
countries only had a household income of less than $400.00 to about $900.00. While the U.S
income trumps other countries, those countries became low income because they could not keep
up with the U.S standards (The development of poverty, 2017).
13:54:30 GMT -05:00
