Thursday, October 14, 2010

Article Summaries

P O V E R T Y


NaturalNews: Poverty now rampant: Half of U.S. kids on food stamps

Almost half of children living in the United States receive a food stamp before they are eighteen researchers have found. Food stamps were first introduced by USDA program, and are now overseen by state governments. Many families in the United States use food stamps to get through hard times such as job loss, professional transitions, or other financial problems. Many people believe poverty is more widespread in the United States, and that not in abject poverty still live without basic necessities. I believe the use of food stamps is a great idea, for children and families who need the extra. Though, I do think they are probably used by people who do not need the extra and are taking it away for those in need.

NaturalNews: The Lifelong Ravages of Poverty

Neuroscientists have recently discovered that children who grow up in poor families with a low social status are prone to experiencing unhealthy stress levels, which in turn may impair their neural development. This effects both language development and memory, and may predispose these children to lifelong poverty. America avoids the problem of poverty. Children who grow up in poverty are most likely to stay in poverty.This is sad, that your future greatly depends on how you are raised by your parents and your social status.

ProjectConcern: Haiti Update

It has been several months since the 7.0 magnitude earthquake that killed around 220, 500 people and displaced 2.5 million occurred. PCI is supporting rehabilitation. Many still have no access to health care and live in tents in a violent and unsafe area. Three of four schools are greatly damaged; the kids and women are all very vulnerable. Donate today to help rebuild and recover Haiti. I believe PCI is doing a great thing, updating the people and supporting those in Haiti.

TheGuardian: Child poverty: study shows fifth of UK youngsters severely affected
Five out of seven children in the UK live in severe poverty. Researchers interviewed 14,000 seven year olds, asking them each to place themselves into one of eighteen categories. They found this out: three out of four children, whose parents are Pakistani or Bangladeshi live in severe poverty, mothers who have birthed children under the age of nineteen have a higher poverty than those who have had children at thirty, and 51% of black children live in poverty. Researchers are very concerned with the high rate of poverty, for they know how a child is raised influences greatly on the rest of their lives. Again, it is sad to know that a innocent child’s future can be beholden in statistics.

TheStarPheonix: African ‘witches’ banished

About 3,000 women live in extreme poverty from being accused of witchcraft. Banished from their homes, they now reside in one of the six witch camps in Africa. Palmer, a freelance journalist, exposes the fascinating and disturbing plight of these exiles in her newly released book Spellbound: Inside West Africa's Witch Camps. Aid organizations have tried to help to little avail. I have never heard of actual witch camps before and I think it is quite interesting, though sad for I believe these women who are being accused are most likely innocent.

TheNewYorkTimes: Haiti overview

Haiti, one of the poorest countries, is struggling from near constant political upheaval, health crises, severe environmental degradation and an annual barrage of hurricanes. The worst earthquake in the region in 200 years hit Haiti, reducing much of its capital to rubble.  Estimated total cost of earthquake: between 7.2 and 13.2 million. Estimated death toll: 250,000 to 300,000. Six months later, only 28,000 of the 1.5 million have moved into new homes and the Port-au-Prince has remained a tableau of life in the ruins. I think Haiti is slowly recovering and needs all they prayers they can get.

NaturalNews: GMO soy bringing poverty, poor health to South America

Genetically modified organisms (GMO’s) in hope of ending world hunger and reducing poverty, has been found to have an opposite effect. GMO soy is destroying the environment, increasing poverty, and harming human health. Stop supporting GMO by no longer purchasing products with non organic soy ingredients. I believe the use of GMO's is a money grabber, not a helpful thing for those in poverty.

NaturalNews: Poverty is not pious
There is nothing sacred, honourable, or even spiritual about being broke. You cannot accumulate good karma simply by living in poverty. If you could then the poor would not be poor. Those who are not in poverty, who earn and spend their money mindfully, are thought as to be compassionate and spiritual. Those who hoard money, or earn it unethically, are not spiritual at all. Truly pious people spend their money in ways to support and protect sustainable life on our planet. This article was very interesting to read, and opened my eyes. It made me realize that poverty is not pious and those who are in poverty do not have greater karma than the average Joe.



 

1 comment:

  1. Madisson,

    Interesting summaries. I enjoyed reading them. Consider adding your own opinion to the end of each as you go along.

    Keep up the good work.

    Mr. Doubt.

    ReplyDelete