According to US Census Bureau data, 37.9 million Americans live in poverty. This means that these individuals and their families are below the federal government's poverty threshold, which this year, 2024, is $31,200 for a family of four.
“According to US Census Bureau data, 37.9 million Americans live in poverty.”
Desiree Metcalf and her family are, like many others, considered impoverished. Truth is, she has had limited financial means her entire life. She was born into a single-parent home where money was tight. That meant moving from home to home very often. She also struggled with physical abuse as a child and ended up in foster care.
Now, as a grown adult, she is a single mother with three daughters and a financially struggling single mother herself. The cycle is restarting itself. Desiree's story is not an isolated one.
Desiree's story shows how generational poverty can impact multiple generations of the same family in a hard-to-overcome cycle. This type of poverty persists over multiple generations due to interconnected factors such as lack of education, limited job opportunities, and limited social mobility.
In generational poverty, the conditions that contribute to poverty tend to be passed down from parents to children, creating a cycle that is difficult to break without significant intervention and support.
There is hope, however. It is possible to break free from the cycle. Overcoming poverty can be accomplished by making changes to tackle the factors that can keep us in poverty. Here are some key tactics to help you and your family rise above your financial position.
Prioritize the Accumulation of Knowledge
The number one way to increase opportunities for yourself and your family is to become more educated and learn skills that open up better job opportunities. Education equips us with the skills and knowledge we need to secure better employment opportunities and break the cycle of poverty.
This doesn't mean you must get a master's degree or higher; reaching the next level of education will give you many benefits. Finishing high school is significant for many of our Smart Schools students.
Getting your high school diploma is an empowering experience that often leads to more success. A high school education provides the knowledge needed to create upward mobility, that is, the ability to move higher economically.
Develop skills to be competitive
Offering job training programs and skill-building initiatives tailored to the needs of those living in poverty can enhance their employability and earning potential. This may involve partnerships between educational institutions, businesses, and government agencies to provide relevant training and certifications.
Learn "Soft skills" that make you a successful employee
Soft skills are pivotal to an employee's success, often determining their effectiveness in various professional environments. These are skills like good communication, adaptability, problem-solving, time management, organization, customer service, and a positive attitude. Also, resilience and a growth mindset will contribute to your long-term career success.
Developing these skills will help you become a great employee that employers want to keep. Becoming a highly desired employee can lead to a steady job that stabilizes your family.
Start small to build savings
As you read this, the thought of saving money will probably stir up several emotions. It might seem impossible to do when things are already tight. However, believe it or not, savings are more related to money management, which anyone can learn to do. Better money management leads to a higher ability to save. Even in small amounts, learning how to save is a life-altering thing. The process of saving money pushes us to learn how to "make do" with what we have. Also, as a parent, you are modeling good behavior that can benefit your family for generations.
Educating yourself and your family about budgeting and saving can help you make informed financial decisions. You can be successful at saving by prioritizing expenses and starting small. Programs that promote building assets, such as matched savings accounts or homeownership assistance, can help break the cycle of poverty by creating paths to wealth accumulation.
Some good resources on how to start saving are:
Find a place to settle
Let's be honest; finding suitable housing at a reasonable cost can be challenging. Settling down in one place can have long-term benefits for your family. Stable housing is foundational to creating economic stability for yourself and your family.
Some programs increase access to affordable housing, rental assistance, and homeownership opportunities that can stabilize families and help prevent homelessness.
If you are struggling in this area, The US Department of Housing and Urban Development can provide you with some resources, depending on where you live. Their website offers specific information on housing based on your location here: HUD Resource Locator.
In addition, some states provide housing assistance based on your income. A quick online search for "housing assistance + your state" should provide information about your options.
Be open to support
There are support systems that can help you and your family. In your community, there are likely support services and resources that can help in other ways. They can help with needs like healthcare, child care assistance, transportation assistance, food, clothing, and counseling. Using these services when needed most may free you up to focus on other critical responsibilities like finding work or attending school.
By obtaining a high school diploma, adults gain essential skills and knowledge that increase their employability and enable them to pursue further education or vocational training. Additionally, completing high school fosters confidence and a sense of accomplishment, empowering individuals to navigate challenges and strive for a brighter future. Ultimately, education equips adults with the tools necessary to break free from the constraints of poverty and build a more secure and prosperous life for themselves and their families.
Coming out of generational poverty starts by addressing immediate needs and adding to your knowledge and skills. These factors significantly affect your job options and income. Of course, learning to manage money and build savings will also be essential to making a positive change in your finances. By being willing to learn and make small changes over time, it is possible to break the cycle that you're in and empower your family financially.
Sources
Generational Poverty: How to Break the Cycle of Poverty - Entrepreneur
The Importance of Parents as Role Models - Thrive Global
One Family's Story Shows How The Cycle Of Poverty Is Hard To Break - NPR
Poverty in the United States: 2022 - US Census Bureau
Using Holistic, Multigenerational Strategies To Alleviate Poverty - Center for American Progress
