Low Wages, Crumbling Society The change in our society from having rich, middle, and poor economic statuses has caused our society to crumble. The increase of low waged workers has increased tremendously. The decline in wages cause parents to work 2-3 jobs just to make the bills, which in turn has caused parents and children’s relationships to fail, which also in turn cause the children to have behavioral issues, which in turn cause violence rates to increase. Every time you turn on the television, all you observe and hear about is violence in our world. Our society is crumbling out of control due to the low wage jobs and inequality of wages among workers and if not addressed and improved our future will not survive. Some factors that …show more content…
Due to parents having to take on 2-3 part-time jobs or low wage jobs, parents are required to deal with long hours, unusual hours, lack of benefits that cover paid sick days, paid medical, parental leave, and vacation time. This prevents parents from participating in their children’s development. (Spross, Jeff. "Low-Wage Jobs Don’t Just Harm Workers — They Harm Their Children." ThinkProgress RSS. 7 Dec. 2012. Web. 5 Oct. 2014.) Parents are not home to look after their children. When parents are home, it is for a short period that allows parents to feed the children, bath them and put them to bed. Parents have to choose their family time or making income and income is priority to try and provide the necessary needs like a home, electric, and food. This struggle between income and family has put tremendous stress on parents which lead to a higher level of depression which affects the whole family. Some young adult children are forced into the work force before they graduate to help the family. If these young adults are one of the fortunate ones that don’t need to join the workforce, they are still faced with taking on an adult role due to having to play mommy or daddy to their younger siblings. Having this kind of responsibility at such a young age causes some of these young adults to fall into a depression or stressed out with all the responsibility that they start rebelling authority or looking for …show more content…
You can’t turn on the television, or read the paper without hearing about violence in our cities and world. In a report from “Stand Up for Kids” in Chicago, they analyze the relationship between low wages, income inequality, and the epidemic of violence in Chicago’s low income neighborhoods. This report found that in 2012 there were nearly 7,700 gun-related crimes reported in the city. The city of Chicago has the third highest overall metropolitan poverty rate in the nation. Nearly one quarter of all Chicago residents live below the federal poverty threshold according to this report. ("Chicago Not Only Leads the Nation in Gun Violence Rates, but Also in Measures of Urban Poverty." Stand Up Chicago, 1 Feb. 2013. Web. 7 Oct. 2014.) Decades of research have demonstrated that there is a statistically significant link between low wages, income inequality and crime. The analysis presented in this report shows that when a city’s economic conditions improve, the violent crime rates go down.( "Chicago Not Only Leads the Nation in Gun Violence Rates, but Also in Measures of Urban Poverty." Stand Up Chicago, 1 Feb. 2013. Web. 7 Oct. 2014.) Parents and children are turning to violent acts to provide for their family needs. Policy makers and the government need to address the issues of persistent poverty and income inequality such as raising the minimum wage to a living wage and create satisfying jobs for the
In The Rich Get Richer and the Poor Get Prison by Jeffery Reiman and Paul Leighton, four multifaceted issues are focused on and examined. These issues are the Unites States high crime rates, efforts in explaining the high crime rates, where the high crime rates originally came from, and the success attained at a high price. The initial key issue that Reiman and Leighton discuss is America’s high rising crime rates with the understanding of the people that believe policy and regulations are the causes of the decrease in crime. The many graphs throughout the chapter represent information that undoubtedly illustrates that specific policy and regulation may cause rates to become stagnate or strike a plateau. While the rule makers make it appear as though their organization is functioning. Later guns and gun control policy are discussed. With the stern enforcement of the gun policy, at the time, crime appeared to decline, or become stagnate resulting in a plateau effect that is illustrated in the graphs. Countless arrests were made with large quantities of people being imprisoned. Du...
When help presented itself, many of the people at least made an effort to change and realize that violence was not the answer. The amount of people that are shot and killed in Chicago is a surprising number. Many of the violence does not come from someone necessarily being a bad person, but someone who is unwilling to back down from any situation (Kotlowitz, 2012). In Chicago many believe that “death before dishonor” is a good motto to live life by (Kotlowitz, 2012). The funerals that people attend are just a reminder to them, that one day the way they live their lives on the street will catch up to them (Kotlowitz, 2012). The violence interrupters are working hard in Chicago to help the people in the society, but if people do not want to change it is hard to make a difference (Kotlowitz, 2012). The people in Chicago also have to put in the work to make the community a better place, so that they feel safe leaving their houses instead of feeling like “every time [they] go outside somebody is going to get killed” (Kotlowitz,
These crime-ridden communities (or ghettos) are springing up all through the country, mainly in and around major metropolitan areas. These areas are the most populated, so that means that within these areas are the most people there to be influenced by the crimes committed by fellow people. In Male's reading he shows statistics that prove the fact that once the poverty factor is taken away then teen violence disappears. He later adds, “That if America wants to rid of juvenile violence than serious consideration needs to be given to the societally inflicted violence of raising three to 10 times more youth in poverty than other Western nations.” (Males p386)
The dramatic increase of gun violence in Chicago has many questioning the effectiveness of state policies and police tactics. For many Chicagoans, gun violence is a common occurrence and this would not be the first time in which a big spike has been observed. In fact, Chicago was doing well overall in each crime category until recently in 2016, when they ended the year with 762 homicides victims that were gun related. Towards the end of 2016, Rahm Emanuel, mayor of Chicago, had a press conference with the communities at the Malcom X College. He goes into detail of how he hopes to see a sharp decline on the heavy issue of gun violence surrounding their city. It’s an issue in which the mayor says will only work through a combined effort of its
Gang violence is a very serious downfall living in Chicago. In two articles written by Mark Guarino, “Behind Chicago’s High-Crime Summer: Persistent Street Gang Violence” and “In Chicago, Can Community Involvement Combat Gang Violence” he adds how Chicagoans are severely alarmed by the series of murders there are due to gang violence, including the death of an innocent eight year old girl who was caught between a heated gang war while playing outside (Behind Chicago 1), while adding how a gunmen approached a car and started shooting and killed a 20 ...
In the year 2015 2,996 people were shot & wounded, 447 people were shot and killed due to gang related shootings in Chicago. Gang Violence is a burden on us because it destroys communities, it makes people feel unsafe, and people start to move out the community. Gang violence happens because two gang are at war with each other. The community gets torn apart, the population decreases, and people are heartbroken when lives are lost. Did you know that in 2015 at Chicago a person is shot every 2 minutes and 55 seconds, and a person is killed every 17 hours and 29 minutes. Isn’t that mind blowing?
It is a shame that our young adults are heavy in the gun game. This is ridiculous that four people were shot in Philadelphia. According to the Daily News, written by Diane Mastrull, Philadelphia has been busy in the streets of West, North, and Southwest portion of the city. It is heartbreaking that one was shot over argument. What happened to us using our fists, instead of weapons? As I continue to read the article I realize that I live in the center of all of this. When I read the description of one of suspect, I realized that they could be describing my son. My son owns red sneakers, blue jeans, and a white hoodie. However, taking a deep breath because he is currently safe in college. These streets are not safe for our children. Crimes are
“For thugs from the ghetto, violence is a way of life - it's what helps you survive.” That quote was said by Suge Knight a hip-hop mogul who grew up in the streets of Compton, California. Compton is another known area for its high violence and high number of gangs on its streets. Social inequality has worsen over the years, the gap between the rich and poor only has increased. Living conditions have deteriorated over the years. The window of success has shrunk in areas of inner city communities. If you can walk into an inner city hospital and go up to the window in the maternity ward and predict the future of the babies lying there, you know we have a major issue.
Many statistics have shown that there is no direct correlation between poverty and a person’s tendency to commit crimes. An ongoing topic of discussion has been about white-collar workers and the reasons why crime is so prevalent in this social class. In regards to whether or not poverty causes crime, using an example such as white-collar crime will prove the theory to be inaccurate (The John Howard Society of Alberta). The Great Depression can also support this point. In a period of time where there was widespread unemployment and poverty in the United States, statistics have actually shown that “…when unemployment hit 25 percent, the crime rate in many cities went down” (Wilson). Most importantly, however, many other risk factors, such as psychological disorders and poor nutrition and health have been seen to show a direct correlation to crime. While research has shown that there is no direct relationship between poverty and crime, it has shown that there is a relationship between these other risk factors, such as psychological disorders, an...
Another cause of gun violence is the war on drugs and the inherent violence around and in American cities “The most important single reason that gun violence rose sharply in Chicago and District of Columbia and many cities across the country Between the mid-1980s and early 1990s was drugs specifically crack cocaine first thing up on the scene at the time juvenile and young adult males were recruited to sell the drugs in trouble neighborhoods and were armed, or armed themselves with handguns” (Whiney 157). One result of this was as two Criminologists called “ irresponsible and excessive casual use of guns by young people in inner cities.” One major reason gun violence fell after the 1990s was the crack epidemic sizzled out. The United States war on drugs is not working and is aiding in the number of guns used. Gangs and drug dealers would be deterred from selling if most drugs were decriminalized, people were arrested for lower level crimes might not have to become life long criminals if they were not jailed. For instance, in Colorado where marijuana was legalized crime has decreased significantly. According to Denver Police’s Uniform Crime Reporting data, total burglaries in 2013 were 5,094. In 2014, burglaries decreased about 10 percent to 4,594. Reported robberies in 2013 totaled 1,137 and decreased 3 percent to 1,099 in 2014. Arrests for drug violations in 2013 totaled 2,349 and increased almost 10 percent to 2,574 arrests in 2014. Moreover, In 2014, a total of 150 homicides was reported by law enforcement agencies in Colorado (DPUC). This is a 12.8% decrease in homicides from 2013 (CBI). These numbers show a great sign of hope if we decriminalize drugs. We can not treat our people with a problem like criminals, just like our mentally ill. People with a drug problem need help and if these people are not behind bars
Over the past half century, violence in the United States has increased dramatically. Children who were raised in a tough, low-income neighborhood often fail to escape exposure to violence. They may witness homicides, assaults, and some may even have had a friend who had been killed. According to recent research, these children have higher violence rates than those kids who grew up in a non-violent neighborhood.
Around the world, America has a respectable reputation, which is providing equality and fair treatment to all of its citizens. Yet sometimes some groups of people may not always receive fair treatments especially many color communities. The communities don’t always receive the necessary funding or help from the government in order for the community to thrive in the future. Due to a lack of resources many residents are not receiving job opportunities, proper education or guidance. Many African American communities are embedded in a never ending cycle of poverty and criminal activity. Gang Starr’s “Code of the Streets” and 2Pac “Changes” exposes the experience of living in low-income communities, witnessing conflicts there and determining the
This nation has a problem: more of its citizens rely on the federal government for help than to support themselves with a full time job. Poverty has many negative effects on the people who suffer from it and on the economy. Everyone needs to be made aware of poverty and the many negative effects it has on people. There are things that could be done to help reduce the amount of people that are in poverty. Reducing poverty would decrease health risks, strengthen the middle class, and help the democracy.
“Of the 41.8 million children under 15 who lived with two parents last year, more than 25% had mothers who did not work and stayed home, according to a Census Bureau report,” Genaro Armas writes. This is an increase of stay at home parents which maybe because of the economic boom. Many people are wondering why you would give up a job, and economic security just to raise your kids. What most don’t realize is that you are taking on another job when you take care if your kids. The Census Bureau also reported that 55% of women who gave birth between July 1999 and July 2000 returned to the labor force within a year of having their babies. This means that most mothers do not end up at home like old times. They are choosing there own economic safety over there child’s well being. They still have time with there children just while they are at work they just like to forget where there children are.
Has anyone ever considered thinking about what the world is really going through? How many people don’t have the necessities in order to survive? If so, what are these people going through? Poverty is the state of one who lacks a standard or socially acceptable amount of money or material possessions. Sometimes events occur that changes a person’s perspective on life. Poverty is one that can have a huge effect on not only one person, but also the people around him/her. Over half of the world is going through this tragedy and we, being the ones who created it, have the responsibility to end it.