Poverty Simulation Jennie Tullos, Elizabeth McPh ail, and Kyle Van Dusen
Dec 14, 2015
What
do y
ou
know
about
pove
rty?
Are there stereotypes?
Where do these ideas
come from?
What class do you consider yourself in?
What d
o yo
u kn
ow
about p
ove
rty?Multiple
Choice
Most min. wage jobs are
held by:
a. Men
b. Women
c. teens
d. Pretty evenly split
Most people on welfare are:
e. Single mothers
f. Children
g. The elderly
The number of children
currently living in poverty:
h. 2 million
i. 5 million
j. 13 million
k. 20 million
True/False
Having any job is
better than no job at
all.
If you are a single
parent with 2
children, you can
support your family
making federal min.
wage.
People are poor
because they want
to be.
Definin
g
Pove
rty
Models of
Poverty
Relative Poverty: deprivation
relative to the standard of
living of others members of the
society- basic needs may be
met, but the person/family may
still be considered “poor” if
they have fewer resources,
opportunities, or goods
Absolute Poverty: severe
deprivation from basic
human needs (food, safe
water, sanitation facilities,
health, shelter, education,
information)
Definin
g
Pove
rty
Types of
Poverty
Generational Poverty:
people living in poverty for
two or more generations
(75% of the people living
in poverty are living in
generational poverty)
Situational Poverty: people
living in poverty for a short
time (unemployment,
chronic illness, disability,
divorce, or death of a
family member)
Definin
g P
ove
rty
Poverty is a lack of resources
with regards to:o Financial: Money to purchase goods
and services as well as assets like
credit, property, and equity.
o Emotional: The ability to control
emotions, especially in stressful
situations without engaging in self-
destructive behaviors
o Mental: The capability to process
information, evaluate situations, and
make decisionso Social Capital: Friends, family, or
backup resources that are accessible
in times of needo Role Models: Access to adults who
are nurturing and do not engage in
self-destructive behaviors (mentors)
Pove
rty in
Nebra
ska
Fremont Nebraska
Children below poverty level 12.3% 14.5%
Poverty rate among people who did not graduate high school not in families:
33.2% 35.7%
Residents with income below the poverty level in 2007
10% 11.2%
Residents with income below 50% of the poverty level in 2007
3.2% 4.8%
Start the
Simulation
Step 1: Draw Cards-Family Situation, Occupation, Child(ren)
Step 2: Pick Housing and Transportation
Step 3: Calculate Food Cost and Utilities
Step 4: Budget –Month One, Month Two, Crisis
Final D
iscu
ssio
n
What did you learn about
poverty? Where you surprised
by anything? Were these situations realistic
to you? Why or Why not? How can you make a difference
for low-income people that you
may encounter in your life? Who are some agencies or
programs who serve low-
income families?
Final D
iscu
ssio
n
oThe goal of this activity is to
provide an introduction to
the situation of poverty- it is
not a “how to” o We covered a segment of
budgeting but there are many
other life-skills one learns
when living in poverty
o It can take years to learn these
skillsoWe encourage you to
further investigate poverty
in your community, especially as it relates to
you and those you serve