Final answer:
Approximately 10.4 million Americans in 2009 were considered working poor, meaning they were employed or seeking employment for at least 27 weeks but lived below the poverty line. The U.S. has a higher rate of working poor than many other developed nations, and this group includes a diverse range of individuals, with most below the poverty line being white.
Step-by-step explanation:
Contrary to widespread belief, a significant percentage of families living below the poverty line have at least one working family member. The United States has a higher percentage of working poor than many other developed countries. The labor market includes many individuals who are actively working or seeking work for at least 27 weeks in a year, yet they still fall below the poverty threshold. This group is known as the working poor. The proportion of poor adults engaged in the labor market is higher among certain groups, particularly those with part-time jobs, lower educational attainment, and those with dependents under the age of 18.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2009, the working poor included 10.4 million Americans, which was an increase of almost 17 percent from the previous year. It is a common misconception that all poor families are unemployed; in reality, many are struggling despite employment. Moreover, while African Americans have a higher percentage of individuals living in poverty than other racial groups, most people in the United States living below the poverty line are white. Additionally, households headed by single mothers tend to have relatively high poverty rates.