Social Change Issue on Poverty
Social Change Issue on Poverty
Purpose
The poverty rate in Roswell, New Mexico, stands at 28.3% as compared to 23.5% that of the whole country. In 2009, the poverty level was measured in respect to families that earned income rate below the poverty level. According to city data.com (2012) the state recorded the highest level of poverty compared to other states. This is not a positive economic development condition. Thus, I believe that I have measures that would be best applicable in this situation and help reduce the poverty level in this community.
Question
What possible measures can society and I apply to address the poverty level in Roswell, New Mexico, in the next few years?
Information
Evidence from city data.com (2012) shows that 28% of people live below poverty level compared to 23.5% that of the entire country. This is a clear indication that Roswell has a greater percentage of poverty level something that should develop a concern to the government and community at large. This is a clear indication that this state is affected by the issue of poverty. Roswell is one of the states that drag economic growth of the country simply because the largest population lives below poverty level. The high rate of poverty in Roswell is as a result of lack of employment and low income. The employment rate in Roswell is high as many people do not have jobs. The employment rate in Roswell is 6%. The Job growth in the city is 0-4.09%. The job growth in the future is estimated to be 25.82%. Apart from lack of employment, the low income among the working people has led to increase in poverty levels. Most people do not earn adequate income to support their families and hence live below the poverty line. The median household income in Roswell in 2009 was $35,334.
The median household income for Roswell was lower compared to the median household income for New Mexico. The median household income for New Mexico in 2009 was $43,028. 28.3% of the residents in Roswell an income below the poverty line compared to 23.5% of residents in New Mexico. Also, 9.4% of the residents in Roswell had an income below 50% of the poverty level in 2009. Only 7.5% of the population had an income level below 50% of the poverty line in New Mexico. Further, lack of education has increased the poverty rates as residents in Roswell do not have the skills and knowledge needed for a job. This has made it hard for the Roswell residents to compete within other workers in New Mexico. Roswell residents only get low income paying jobs and thus low income. Most residents do not support education, and this has led to poor education access among the residents due to lack of facilities. Poverty is not a problem in Roswell state alone, but the whole state. New Mexico is considered the poorest state in the United States as it has a high number of residents living below the poverty line. The high poverty rate in New Mexico is due to lack of advanced academic setting (LeMay, 2008).
Poverty issue in Roswell is not an issue for the poor or the elite in the society, but a problem for all. The high rates of poverty in New Mexico and especially Roswell have attracted every person attention due to its effects. Most children in New Mexico and Roswell live poverty and this have compelled nonprofit organizations and other citizens to provide support. Poverty has been historically a problem for Roswell, but it has worsened due to lack of support from the local, state and federal administration. The administration does not provide adequate social amenities to the residents like schools. Wealth in Roswell is not equally distributed as only the richest 10% control the wealth in the state (LeMay, 2008).
Interpretation and inference
The issue of poverty is something critical simply because it does not only affects an individual but also the country as a whole. There are measures that the community with the help of government can use to reduce the high level of poverty in Roswell. The actions may differ from one opinion to another and may have a different solution approach. The main idea for the actions is to develop a positive response towards reduction of poverty level within the state which will have contributed to the growth of the economy. The government and the community should work together to create wealth and generate income from various activities like businesses. It should develop job opportunity for the community. The government can provide monetary support to the community in order to enable the community members establish businesses. In addition, the government can provide financial incentives to facilitate the establishment of businesses. Providing social facilities such as schools and roads can reduce the poverty rate as more people will get an education. Road infrastructure enables movement of goods from one place to another. Lack of infrastructure has affected commerce. The federal government should distribute the funds to the local and state government to finance starting of businesses (LeMay, 2008).
Essential concepts
A high level of poverty within a country or community means that the economic growth moves in a negative direction. This calls for critical measures in order to handle and develop strategies ideal for restructuring the economic growth by reducing poverty level. Measures that can be applied in such a situation include; 1). Increase employment level by creating more jobs for the unemployed. 2). Reduce government taxes on consumable goods. 3). Use government intervention methods on poverty eradication strategies LeMay, 2008).
Government intervention
A manufacturing industry would help boost the community and reduce poverty. The industry will aid in manufacturing of dairy products and other products. Green River helps in the transportation of coal used by aluminum smelters. There are plants in the area including natural, power and steel plants (LeMay, 2008).
Suggestion to the community
As a change agent, I will make several changes to the community in order to promote economic growth and improve their economic condition. I would suggest that the community gives education priority as education will enable them get high paying jobs and compete with other residents. Also, I would encourage the community members to change their attitude towards education and self so as to become productive (LeMay, 2008).
Industries supporting Roswell economy
Roswell economy is supported by various industries including education, health, social services, retail trade and manufacturing. Roswell is different from other deserts in America as a large percentage of the land is covered with water which facilitates irrigation farming (LeMay,2008).
Demographics
Roswell consists of different ethnic groups. That is whites, blacks, Native Americans, Asians and Hispanic. Whites and Latinos account for 70.96% and 44.34% respectively. African Americans, Native Americans and Asians, account for 1.28$%, 0.65% and 21.29% respectively (LeMay, 2008).
Assumptions
People living in Roswell have equal rights with people living in other countries. They should have an environment that helps them develop the best work conditions by earning enough for their use. The community aims at having an environment that gives all citizens equal living conditions (LeMay, 2008).
Implication and consequences
I believe I and the community development committee have a common thought that would make Roswell a place better for the society. Roswell should have people living above the poverty level and creating job employment opportunities in the near future. This might be challenging, but the main focus is to ensure that poverty level has decreased below 5% within the next three or five years (LeMay, 2008).
Point of view
Addressing the issue, of poverty and effects it brings to the society is a step in handling poverty issues in society. Different measures should be applied in dealing with the problem in the right direction
Reference
Elder, L. & Paul, R. (2010). The thinker’s guide to analytic thinking: How to take thinking apart
and what to look for when you do: The elements of thinking and the standards they must meet.
Dillon Beach, CA: The Foundation for Critical Thinking.
City data. (2012). Poverty rate data. Retrieved from http://www.city-data.com/poverty/poverty-Roswell-New-Mexico.html on 8/12/2012
LeMay, J. (2008). Roswell. Arcadia publishing
Is this your assignment or some part of it?
We can do it for you! Click to Order!
