Breaking the Chains of Poverty: Why We Should Be Ashamed and Take Action
Introduction
Poverty is a global issue that affects billions of people. In 2018, the World Bank estimated that 700 million people lived in extreme poverty, meaning they lived on less than $1.90 per day. This number is down from 1.2 billion in 2015, but it is still a staggeringly high number.
Poverty is not just about a lack of money. It is also about a lack of opportunity, education, and healthcare. People who live in poverty are more likely to experience poor health, violence, and discrimination. They are also more likely to be unemployed and have low incomes.
In this essay, I will argue that poverty is something that we should be ashamed of. I will discuss the negative consequences of poverty and why it is important to work to end poverty.
Body
There are many reasons why we should be ashamed of poverty. First, poverty is a moral issue. It is wrong that people should have to live in poverty when we have the resources to end it. Everyone deserves to have a decent standard of living, regardless of their income or circumstances.
Second, poverty is a social justice issue. Poverty is often caused by structural inequality, which means that some people are more likely to be poor than others. This inequality is often based on race, gender, or other factors. We should be ashamed of the fact that our society allows some people to be born into poverty while others are born into wealth.
Third, poverty is an economic issue. Poverty costs us all money. When people are poor, they are less likely to be able to work, which means that they are less likely to contribute to the economy. They are also more likely to need government assistance, which costs taxpayers money.
Finally, poverty is a human issue. Poverty is devastating to the lives of individuals and families. People who live in poverty are more likely to experience poor health, violence, and discrimination. They are also more likely to be unemployed and have low incomes. Poverty can lead to social isolation, depression, and even suicide.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are many reasons why we should be ashamed of poverty. Poverty is a moral, social justice, economic, and human issue. We should all be working to end poverty and ensure that everyone has a decent standard of living.
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