

Why Fewer American Children Are Living in Poverty
9 snips Sep 26, 2022
Jason DeParle, a senior writer for The New York Times and expert on poverty, uncovers the remarkable 59% drop in child poverty in America since the 1990s. He discusses how safety net programs and political compromises have redefined the landscape for struggling families. Personal stories, like that of Cece Jackson from West Virginia, illustrate the real-life impact of these programs. The conversation also touches on the historical shifts in social policy and the implications of recent global events, highlighting both progress and ongoing challenges.
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Dramatic Decline in Child Poverty
- Child poverty in the US has fallen dramatically, from over 25% to about 10%.
- This surprising drop was initially hidden by how poverty was measured.
New Poverty Measure Reveals Aid's Impact
- The Census Bureau's old poverty measure excluded safety net programs’ impact.
- A new measure, adopted in 2009, includes this aid, revealing the decline.
Factors Behind Poverty Decline
- Several factors contributed to child poverty decline: economic growth, increased minimum wages, and shifts in family structures.
- However, the expansion of government aid played a dominant role.