This week in class, I read about poverty and what our government considers poverty. I looked over the 2012 US guidelines for poverty and Self-Sufficiency Standards. The government guidelines basically depict what the government believes is poverty by taking in account certain costs such as food. I wasn't very impressed with the chart the government provides to show these guidelines. It isn't very easy to understand. I couldn't tell what costs it took into account. Reading a little more on the US guidelines, I realize that they are quite outdated. It would be beneficial for these guidelines to be updated and to include factors such as those included in the Self-Sufficiency Standards. I felt more comfortable reading the Self-Sufficiency Standards chart. It is broken down by state and county. I looked at Broward County's chart and it was very descriptive. The chart provided the income amount families need based on different family structures. The chart had single families with no children, families with one or multiple children, one parent families, etc. The Self-Sufficiency Standard chart was very easy to understand.  The Self-Sufficiency Standards takes into account costs such as food, day-care, and other necessities that families are faced with paying on a monthly basis. The price for these necessities keeps climbing making it harder for families to afford these necessities. If the government does not take these factors into account, how can they make an accurate prediction of what it is like to be poor in the US?


I have met several families with both working parents making a decent living. Some of these families, despite of working good jobs, have been faced with hardships and needed assistance. The only problem is that government doesn't consider these families "poor" and therefore will not assist. I remember when I moved out of my parent's home, I was working full time as a surgical technician and living in a one bedroom apartment by myself. The minute I applied for financial aid to start college, I was denied on the basis that I "made too much" to be considered in need of help. Well, due to the fact that I was not given any financial aid, I had to take out loans or pay out of pocket for my education which left a bigger dent in my pocket. I was living paycheck to paycheck, but to the government I was well off. How many people out there in this country want to further their education while continuing to work a full time job, but are faced with the inability to pay for school out of pocket? Shouldn't the government help people better themselves? 


I have been fortunate enough to have never lived in poverty, but I have seen it and been around it. I come from Chile, a place where poverty is not hidden. A place where you might be well off but a close family member may live in poverty. There, the government doesn't offer any help for education or living standards. The US is a great country to live in without a doubt. Still, I find it imperative that the government stay current with the times and continues to improve their programs.