Composition & Essay Writing [ 20 ]

Composition & Essay Writing [ 20 ]

13-] Causes And Effects Of Poverty .

                        In most cases the causes and effects of poverty so interact that what makes people poor also creates conditions that keep them poor . Poverty has many causes , some of them very basic . Primary factors that may lead to poverty include over-population , the unequal distribution of resources in the world ,  economy inability to meet high standards of living and cost of living , inadequate education and employment opportunities , environmental degradation , certain economic and demographic trends and welfare incentives .

                       As for overpopulation which is the situation of having large numbers of people with too few resources and too little space is closely associated with poverty .In developed countries such as US , Japan and countries of Western Europe overpopulation generally is not considered a major cause of poverty . These countries produce large quantities of food through advanced farming . Production provides enough food to support the high densities of people . Many countries in sub-Saharan Africa have population densities of less than 30 persons per sqkm  , but farming is backward – it is manual subsistence . They have infertile land and lack the economic resources and technology . The high birth rates contribute to overpopulation in many developing countries .

                   Global distribution of resources is due to the legacy of colonialism which accounts for much of  the unequal distribution of resources in the world economy . Some social scientists argue that wealthier developed countries continue to practice a form of colonialism known as neo-colonialism . Developed countries have been able to get inexpensive natural resources from poorer countries in Asia , Africa and Latin America including oil for power , ores and minerals for manufacturing durable goods and manufactured goods by low-wage workers in factories operated by multi-national corporations . This practice contributes to the dependency of poorer countries , while not raising their standards of living .

                       Inadequate education and employment can lead to poverty . Illiteracy and lack of education are common in poor countries . Governments of developing countries often can not afford to provide for good public schools , especially in rural areas . For example , about 60% of children in sub-Saharan Africa attend elementary school . Poor people often forego schooling in order to concentrate on making a minimal living .Without education most people can not find income-generating work . Even in developed countries unemployment rates may be high . When people do not have work , they do not make any money , thus high unemployment leads to high levels of  poverty .

                      In many parts of the world , environmental degradation – the deterioration of the natural environment including the atmosphere , bodies of water , soil and forests is an important cause of poverty .

                    The effects of poverty may also be causes , thus creating a poverty cycle operating across multiple levels ; individual , local , national and global . For example , those living in poverty and lacking access to essential health services suffering hunger or even starvation , experience mental and physical health problems make it harder for them to improve their situation . One third of deaths – 18 million people a year or 50.000 per day die of hunger .

                    There are ways to reduce poverty such as economic growth , good governance [ efficient and fair government ] that works for the long-term interests of the nation as a whole , debt relief , fair trade and development .