Poverty, Work, and the Economy

Chapter six on poverty, work, and the economy explains how these issues are connected and affect people’s lives in many ways. It touches on the poverty line, which was first created in 1963, is now outdated because it doesn’t include modern expenses like childcare, healthcare, and transportation, which makes it hard to truly measure who is poor. Poverty impacts women, children, and people of color the most, showing how stratification, the unequal ranking of people in society, continues to define people's opportunities. There are two main explanations for why poverty exists. First, the individualistic explanation, which blames personal choices and motivation. Second, the structural explanation, which points to problems like low wages, unemployment, and lack of access to education. The chapter also talks about the culture of poverty, or the idea that people can become trapped by attitudes and habits formed through long-term poverty. As for the work environment, outsourcing and capital flight have led to fewer stable jobs in the U.S., while a postindustrial economy now focuses more on information and service jobs instead of manufacturing. Sociologists see these problems differently. Functionalism says inequality is necessary to keep society running; conflict theory argues it comes from unfair systems that benefit the rich; and symbolic interactionism looks at how poverty and work affect people’s daily lives and self-image. Overall, the chapter shows that poverty and work are not just about money and assets, it reflects deeper things like social differences and inequalities.

I explored the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data on unemployment, I found out how joblessness reveals deeper social problems connected to inequality and opportunity. According to the BLS, the national unemployment rate was 4.3% in August 2025, but this number changes dramatically across different demographic factors (page 1). For example, Black workers had an unemployment rate of 7.5%, while White workers were around 3.7%, and youth workers aged 16–19 faced a much higher rate of 13.9% (page 2). These differences show how structural inequality shapes people’s access to stable jobs. From a conflict theory perspective, this reflects how powerful groups control economic resources and opportunities, keeping disadvantaged groups at a barrier. At the same time, functionalism would emphasize how unemployment disrupts the balance and stability of society, while symbolic interactionism helps explain how being unemployed can affect a person’s identity and sense of worth. So, The BLS data reveals that unemployment exposes the unfair structure of opportunity in society.

CareerSource Brevard works to reduce unemployment and support workforce development in Brevard County. They offer free services like job search assistance, resume building, interview workshops, and training referrals to help job seekers of all ages and backgrounds find stable employment. Their mission is to connect people with opportunities, improve job readiness, and strengthen the local economy. Through job fairs and skills workshops, the organization tackles the structural causes of unemployment by improving access to jobs and training rather than blaming individual effort.

References: 

Palm Bay Career Center - CareerSource Brevard Flagler Volusia

Poverty, Work, and the Economy.pdf: 202540-SYG-2010-21Z-40363-Social Problems

The Employment Situation - August 2025

Caption: In this image, children are searching through piles of trash to find anything that could help their living situation. This is a powerful reminder of how poverty and economic inequality force many to work in unsafe conditions just to survive. This image highlights the harsh reality of child labor, where education and safety are replaced by struggle and survival. It calls attention to the urgent need for global action to reduce poverty and protect vulnerable communities.