Reducing Poverty in America: Views and Approaches

How can we make a difference in the lives of those trapped in the culture of poverty? What methods should policymakers use to empower and assist the poor? Americans want to reduce poverty as much and as fast as possible, but will spending more tax dollars on welfare achieve this goal? Reducing Poverty in America tackles these tough questions and captures the breadth and fire of the debate over poverty today. This timely volume compiles the works of 21 varied and distinguished social scientists and policy analysts, discussing their ideas on how to reduce poverty, welfare dependency, and other social ills. Four separate areas of focus in the antipoverty effort are examined in depth: education, community empowerment, job training, and social interventions. Next, the book considers these techniques and lays out three strategies for reaching the goal of poverty reduction and reinventing the American dream. Up-to-date on the facts of poverty and major points of view on its causes, Reducing Poverty in America will be of great interest to policymakers, scholars, and students in the fields of sociology, social work, race and ethnic studies, education, psychology, public policy, political science, and family and cultural studies.