Blog #2: Dustin Chance, 2/14/2014 4:47 pm, Poverty

Summary

This article takes a look at the effects that poverty has on the brain.  The theory that is being is discussed is that "poverty reduces cognitive capacity because poverty-related concerns consume mental resources, leaving less for other tasks."  This leads to the poor behaving often in less capable ways, which can further perpetuate poverty.  When looking at IQ facts, it states that "the condition of poverty's mental burden equals losing 13 IQ points, and that poverty is a bigger risk factor for mental illness than being exposed to warfare.  The article states that in 2010, 1 out of 8 adults lived in poverty, and 1 out of 5 children.  1/4 of African Americans live below the federal poverty line, compared to about 1/8 of Americans overall.  Women are also more prone to live in poverty than men.  

Analysis

When looking at the numbers, this article refers strictly to America.  However, this same ideology can be implied to other countries in the world.  The vast majority of countries around the world lack the economic resources that America has.  So if we are struggling with poverty so much, than imagine how bad these less fortunate countries are doing.  This is a global social problem.  People are struggling with poverty everywhere.  It is evident in the news, in statistics, in photographs, and through all political sources.  Unfortunately, the vast majority of people coming from very poor regions and third world countries, have very little hope of coming out of poverty.  the system is set up to keep them suppressed.  They are not given equal opportunities, they lack proper health and nutrition, they have very poor working conditions, and the educational system is bad, if there is even an educational system at all.  So looking at this post, I visualize how poverty effects these people's cognitive capacity.  Not people in America, but people throughout the entire world.



http://livinggreenmag.com/2014/02/14/people-solutions/poverty-burdens-brain-infogfraphic/

poverty reduces cognitive capacity because poverty-related concerns consume mental resources, leaving less for other tasks.
Read more at http://livinggreenmag.com/2014/02/14/people-solutions/poverty-burdens-brain-infogfraphic/#gRCy4PFluCwOza5y.99

poverty reduces cognitive capacity because poverty-related concerns consume mental resources, leaving less for other tasks.
Read more at http://livinggreenmag.com/2014/02/14/people-solutions/poverty-burdens-brain-infogfraphic/#gRCy4PFluCwOza5y.99