Poverty

According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, poverty describes the state of one who lacks a

usual or socially acceptable amount of money or material possessions. In the article, Poverty, welfare

reform, and the meaning of disability, Jennifer Pokempner examines the issue of poverty for different

races and genders, and intersectionality between poverty, race, gender and disability.

Poverty causes disabilities mainly by significantly increasing the risk of health problems, which

lead to development of disabilities, for families and individuals living below the poverty line. With less

resources available, the poor have less access to housing and environments free of lead and other

toxins (3). The poor tended to be those with least political and economic power, and are clustered in

jobs with more risk and more exposure to toxin (3). These conditions significantly increases the risk

of health problems, which can lead to disability. Children are the most vulnerable group of people to

the debilitating effects of living conditions. Some common health issues in children living in poverty

include asthma, chronic illnesses, environmental trauma... and low birth weight (4). These conditions

can negatively affect children's functioning and limit their potentials in life. More resources, such as

time and money, need to be directed to address their well being; less resources will be used help them

achieve their full potential. Pokempner uses low birth weight as an example for her argument, and

states that low birth weight significantly increases the chance of developing neurodevelopmental

disabilities (4).

Discrimination also contributes to the issue of poverty and disability. Racism in job markets and

housing expose African Americans to more health risks (5). There are data indicating that despite

having equal education and experience, African Americans receive lower economic return on

education, and they have less purchasing power... than whites at a given level of income (5). Gender

discrimination against women also exists in the labor market. The article mentions that labor market at

deteriorated for women, and that the low skilled jobs open to these women do not provide the health

insurance that is crucial to caring for the health of themselves and their children (7). In addition, there is
devaluation of women's caretaking work, which leaves family with disabled children more at risk for

exploitation (7). From the information given in the article, we can see that social inequalities keep

African Americans and women in poverty with higher risk of health issues, which can contribute to the

development of disability.

In addition to the social issues mentioned in the article, I believe poverty also contributes to

disability by limiting an individual's education and skill training. It is unlikely for a person living in

poverty to undergo higher level education or skill training, simply due to the high expenses associated

with them. For example, college tuition for state residents at public colleges are approximately $9400

per year. With the additional costs of textbooks and living expenses, the total cost of education is well

over $10000. People living in poverty cannot afford such education, which is usually required for jobs

that can support families. Without higher level education, these people are usually forced into labor

works or jobs with substantial health risks. In addition to these jobs perpetuating the state of poverty,

the responsibilities of the jobs can involve high risk of injury, which can develop into disabilities. For

example, coal miners and construction workers experience great physical demand from their work.

They are more at risk for musculoskeletal injuries. Low entry jobs such as cashiers, waiters and

waitress, require long hours of standing, which can also lead to physical injuries. Given their financial

status, people living in poverty are unlikely to have proper care and treatment for these injuries. These

injuries can then lead to chronic pain and other disabilities.

In the article, Pokempner briefly mentions that the Committee on Childhood Disability considered

using vouchers and direct services as substitutions for cash assistance provided by Supplemental

Security Income. However, the article does not discuss the pros and cons of using vouchers, direct

services, and cash assistance. My question for class discussion is consider the pros and cons of using

voucher, direct services, and cash assistance as methods of support, which form of assistance do you

think is most effective? Why?