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Unemployment In America

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In 2014, 14.8 percent of Americans lived in poverty (“Hunger”). This is a significant number that cannot be ignored. With this said, it is not surprising due to America’s economy, government, and selfish citizens. As a result, these 46.7 million struggling individuals are mentally unstable, kept from improving their social status, and stuck in an uncomfortable living situation. Until the causes are addressed, the effects will continue. America’s democratic republic naturally creates a separation of classes. By allowing citizens to forge their own path, they receive different paychecks. Because it is part of this country’s freedom, it cannot be changed. As a result, it is necessary for the government and wealthy citizens to support those suffering …show more content…

This does not mean that these citizens were struggling, but it means that they had absolutely no source of income. With the government nor wealthy individuals supporting them, citizens in this situation will slowly die from a lack of necessities. In addition to the unemployed, many citizens have jobs that do not supply enough money to live off of. In Missouri, for instance, individuals with a full time minimum wage job earn $7.50 per hour (“Living”). This is a problem, considering that the required hourly wage to live is $9.64 for a single adult working full time (“Living”). When a family is added into the equation, it is disheartening. More jobs must be created to lower the amount of citizens who …show more content…

First of all, students in this situation have additional family responsibilities, because their parents generally work more hours. This means that they might have to cook, clean, and take care of their siblings, which takes away from their school work. In turn, their opportunity to raise their ACT score or maintain a college-worthy GPA is decreased. In addition to family responsibilities, they might have to work to support themselves. Without a job, they might starve, which further takes away from their academics. Lastly, students are kept from being a part of extracurricular activities for the same reasons they are kept from academics. This is a significant factor in a college application, and although a part-time job does help, colleges look for activities that develop leadership skills. This creates a cycle that causes many generations of poor citizens to remain poor; because of their inability to attend college, they must work minimum wage

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