Poverty Myths Busted: Poor People Don't Want to Work
Poverty Myth: Poor People Don't Want to Work
FALSE!
poor people don't want to work
One of the biggest myths about poverty in the US is that poor people don't want to work. But in fact, most American adults living in poverty who can work do work. That is 10.7 million American adults between the ages of 18 and 64 who live in households earning below the poverty line working full or part time.This means an astonishing 59% of adults living in poverty who can work do so. Yet they still live in poverty.
What are the reasons some people in poverty don't work?
Those who do not work cite reasons ranging from being retired (1.3 million) and pursuing continuing education (3.5 million), to being ill or disabled (5.2 million) and taking care of family members (3.8 million). Another 1.9 million adults would like to work, but cannot find jobs they’re qualified for where they live.[1]
Caring for children and family members is a big reason why many adults cannot work. The cost of childcare has more than doubled in the last 25 years. Families living in poverty who use childcare spend 30% of their income on it, compared to an average of only 8% of the income of all families. Without more low-cost or free options, many adults will be forced to continue to make a financial choice not to work to avoid care costs that are often higher than their potential wages.[2]
Access to jobs and reliable transportation is another obstacle. Between 2000 and 2012, many people living in poverty moved to the suburbs. Because of this, there were 17% fewer jobs within a typical commuting distance for them.[3]
The overall picture though clearly shows most adults living in poverty are working, and that it is untrue that poor people don't want to work.
Support programs to overcome difficulties in childcare, transportation, and job creation in low-income communities would certainly increase the ability of low-income individuals and households to attain and keep jobs.
Sources:
Poor People Don't Want to Work:
[1] “Reason For Not Working or Reason For Spending Time Out of the Labor Force--Poverty Status of People Who Did Not Work or Who Spent Time Out of the Labor Force (Based on Redesigned income questions and CPS ASEC sample of 30,000 addresses)” http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/cpstables/032014/pov/toc.htm retrieved October 26, 2015;
[2] “Child Care Costs on the Upswing, Census Bureau Reports”http://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2013/cb13-62.html retrieved on Feb 28, 2018;
[3] “The growing distance between people and jobs in metropolitan America” http://www.brookings.edu/~/media/research/files/reports/2015/03/24-job-proximity/srvy_jobsproximity.pdf retrieved on Feb 26, 2018