Final answer:
A family of three living on $20,000 may struggle to meet basic needs due to the poverty trap, where low wages and high living costs make it difficult to rise above the poverty line. Government assistance can help, but may also disincentivize earning more, and education is seen as a key to escaping the cycle of poverty.
Step-by-step explanation:
A family of three earning $20,000 annually may struggle to make ends meet given the official poverty threshold. The poverty trap presents significant challenges. Working full-time at minimum wage jobs might not suffice to support a family above the poverty line, which is defined by the government and influenced by factors such as the cost of living, which varies by location.
When government assistance programs guarantee a certain income, such as $18,000 for a single mother with two children, the benefit might reduce by every dollar that the mother earns, which discourages additional work.
Likewise, work-related expenses like clothing, transportation, and child care create further economic strain, complicating attempts to break free from the cycle of poverty. Education plays a crucial role in this equation, as it's often seen as the pathway to better-paying jobs and economic stability.