Final answer:
Poverty is likened to a web due to its multifaceted nature, and economic inequality is a societal issue where income and wealth are distributed unevenly. The poverty line is the income threshold to classify poverty, and the U.S. poverty rate varies among different societal groups. Sociological perspectives examine the functions and meanings of poverty and inequality within society.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding Poverty as a Web and Sociological Perspectives on Inequality
Poverty can be conceptualized as a web due to its complex and interconnected nature, affecting various aspects of an individual's life and perpetuating through different societal factors. Economically, inequality is visible when comparing the distribution of income and wealth within a society. The poverty line is a threshold set by governments to determine who is considered poor, generally based on income. In the United States, the poverty rate has fluctuated over time and has shown significant disparities among different groups, including by race, age, and family structure.
From a sociological perspective, there are major theories explaining the persistence of poverty and inequality, such as structural functionalism, which looks at the roles different aspects of society play in maintaining social order, including how poverty might serve a function; conflict theory, which examines the power differentials and exploitation that contribute to economic disparities; and symbolic interactionism, which focuses on the day-to-day interactions and the meanings individuals attach to wealth and poverty.
In considering economic inequality over time, it is important to also take into account broader societal changes, such as household structure and technological advances, which can affect income distribution and influence the growing income gap. Furthermore, various anti-poverty programs have been initiated in the U.S. to address the issue, each targeting different aspects of the poverty web.