Final answer:
Social scientists attribute the persistence of poverty to the poverty cycle, economic structures that fail to offer adequate employment and compensation, and the link between poverty and crime which exacerbates social divisions and unrest.
Step-by-step explanation:
Social scientists have developed several explanations for the persistence of poverty in society. One explanation is the concept of a poverty cycle, where inadequate healthcare, limited education, and the inaccessibility of birth control perpetuate a cycle of disadvantage. Another factor contributing to persistent poverty is economic structures that fail to provide enough jobs at a living wage, in addition to challenges such as systemic racism and sexism. Lastly, poverty may lead to crime and social unrest when individuals, unable to meet basic needs, turn to illegal activities, widening the divide between the rich and the poor and causing marginalized groups to feel excluded from society. These explanations highlight the complexities of addressing and understanding poverty within a social context.