Review of Shiplers the Working Poor Essay - 2602 Words

In David K. Shipler’s book, The Working Poor Invisible in America the reader is provided a peek into the personal stories of the inner lives of eight families struggling inside the vicious cycle of poverty. Shipler’s method of interviews, narratives of personal stories and observation represents an innovative study investigating the working poor in an attempt to understand â€Å"how people in real communities devise collective responses to their problems (Segal, 2010).† A. Barriers In a absorbing way that made me cringe at times, Shipler allows these ‘invisible’ poor to narrate in their personal stories the structural, social, economic and cultural barriers that impact the families. Although I tend to disagree, Shipler admits that one†¦show more content†¦In addition, Shipler points out that a lack of quality education is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the necessary social and mechanical skills necessary to realistically prepare them for employment (Shipler, 2004). Health care has become a form of governmental oppression. There are little to no funding for preventative care as Shipler points out in his scathing review of the bureaucratic nightmare of merely staying healthy enough to go to school if you are poor (Shipler, 2004). America’s private health insurance industry makes it almost impossible for those of lesser financial means to have access to good health insurance (Shipler, 2004). Our economic s tate makes it impossibly expensive to eat healthy, let alone to practice healthy lifestyle habits that are not taught regularly. In addition, the health care providers themselves and those individuals with forced health care plans are faced with the enormous expenses of crooked insurance adjustors and giant malpractice insurance regimes (Shipler, 2004). Further barriers include the surrounding neighborhoods where the poor grow up. Rarely are there any positive role models for children to observe. Instead, poverty stricken areas are proportionately heavier in crime and drugs (Segal, 2010). In most inner-city impoverished neighborhoods the criminals and drug dealers are the only modelsShow MoreRelatedEssay about Federal Welfare Reform1651 Words   |  7 PagesTANF cash assistance caseloads within the program’s first five years has been celebrated as proof of reform’s success, the new era of welfare can only be considered a success if America views the transformation of the welfare poor to the working poor an achievement. Review of the Literature: In conducting my research, it was interesting to find dramatically divergent perspectives on the topic of welfare reform, especially considering that each perspective gave the impression that their argumentRead MorePresident Of The United States Will Change The Future Of America1791 Words   |  8 Pagesstranglehold of corporate money†¦ Sanders’s clarion call for fundamental reform—single-payer health-care, tuition-free college, a $15-an-hour minimum wage, the breaking up of the big banks, ensuring that the rich pay their fair share of taxes— has inspired working people across the country (3). Americans view his reforms and have a sense of security to support his policies. These policies do not neglect the needs of the American people, but bring forth the issues with the corrupt governing powers. DemocraticRead MorePersonal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 19962965 Words   |  12 Pagesstudies are addressed to different audiences; many are technical and use the jargon of various academic disciplines. Moreover, the two research strategies-experimental and observational-each has their own strengths and weaknesses, although previous reviews rarely consider the results from the two strategies together. Welfare reform changed more than welfare policy. It transformed the relationships between the states, local government institutions and among public and private companies. State flexibility