Final answer:
The rise of the working poor in America is attributed to several factors including the high cost of living, economic job polarization, lack of benefits in low-wage jobs, educational disparities, and the challenges of supporting dependents. These conditions, coupled with systemic economic shifts, have led to a growing class of employed individuals who still fall below the poverty line.
Step-by-step explanation:
The working poor in America represents a growing social class of individuals who, despite being employed, fall below the poverty line. This escalation of the working poor can be attributed to several factors. One key reason is the high standard of living in the United States, which makes full-time employment insufficient for some to surpass the relative poverty threshold. Economic forces such as outsourcing and automation have led to job polarization, creating a gap between low-paying manual work and high-paying jobs requiring specialized skills. Social programs like Welfare and Social Security offer some relief, but are insufficient to prevent this trend.
Another factor contributing to the increase of the working poor is the lack of adequate benefits in low-wage jobs which are often temporary or seasonal without healthcare or retirement planning. Additionally, low levels of education, particularly among those working as migrant farm workers, housecleaners, and day laborers, reinforce this cycle of poverty. The Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that education plays a significant role in determining the likelihood of being part of the working poor, with higher education correlating to lower chances of falling into this category.
Finally, the situation is exacerbated for those with dependent children, as they are four times more likely to be in the working poor category. Gender inequality in the workplace and the significant role of immigrants in the labor market also affect the dynamics of the working poor. Over the years, this faction of the workforce has seen steady growth in numbers, indicating a systemic issue in the economic structure of the United States