Matthew Desmond: Poverty Goes Well Beyond Numbers

Matthew Desmond: Poverty Goes Well Beyond Numbers

What does it feel like to be poor? What aspects of poverty can’t be quantified? It’s easy to regard poverty as a black-and-white, by-the-numbers matter. But, according to Matthew Desmond, poverty is far more than that. It’s a tangible experience he knows firsthand, and he argues that it’s important for policymakers (and everyone else) to look beyond the numbers. Keep reading to understand the lived experience—and the consequences—of poverty from Desmond’s perspective.

Family Structure and Poverty: Is There a Connection?

Family Structure and Poverty: Is There a Connection?

Are non-traditional families inherently poorer than traditional families? Is marriage just for the privileged? Poverty remains a persistent feature of American life despite the economy being large enough to raise every adult and child above the defined poverty level. The stubborn persistence of poverty has given rise to several false explanations for its staying power, including non-traditional family structures. Let’s explore the perceived connection between family structure and poverty and Matthew Desmond’s rebuttal.

Are Poor People Lazy? Examining Poverty & Work Ethic

Are Poor People Lazy? Examining Poverty & Work Ethic

Are poor people lazy? What did the Covid-19 experience teach us about poverty and work ethic? When politicians try to figure out why people become poor and stay poor, they often point to a lack of work ethic. Social scientist Matthew Desmond pushes back on this idea, pointing to data gathered during and after the Covid-19 pandemic. Continue reading to learn what Desmond discovered.

Myths About Poverty: 3 Explanations for Poverty Put to the Test

Why Socioeconomic Status and Depression Are Linked

Why is there poverty in the US? Do immigrants have less social mobility? Is family structure a factor? The US is a prosperous nation. But, poverty has a hold on a significant portion of the population. The stubborn persistence of poverty has given rise to several false explanations for its staying power, including immigration, non-traditional family structures, and a bad work ethic among the poor. Read more to see how social scientist Matthew Desmond tackles these three myths about poverty in the US.

The Art of Community: Book Overview (Charles Vogl)

The Art of Community: Book Overview (Charles Vogl)

What’s The Art of Community by Charles Vogl about? Do you belong to a community you care about and want to improve? Community expert Charles Vogl can help you achieve your goals of building or improving a community in his 2016 book, The Art of Community. He covers everything from the beginning stages of community development to the roles and responsibilities of leaders. Read below for a brief The Art of Community book overview.

What Is YIMBY? Introducing the “Yes in My Back Yard” Movement

What Is YIMBY? Introducing the “Yes in My Back Yard” Movement

What is YIMBY? What’s the frustration behind it, and what’s its goal? YIMBY (“Yes in My Back Yard”) is a social and political movement focused on affordable housing. A response to NIMBY (“Not in My Back Yard”), they demand reforms in policies and regulations that govern housing in large cities. Keep reading to learn about the YIMBY movement and its demands.

How to Build a Community: The 3 Building Blocks

How to Build a Community: The 3 Building Blocks

Have you ever wondered how to establish a new community? What kind of guidelines does a community need? Building a community requires establishing the fundamental components that bring your community together. In The Art of Community, Charles Vogl defines what a community is and discusses the three basic building blocks of a community. Keep reading to learn how to build a community that brings people together.

Housing and Poverty: Exploitation vs. Empowerment

Housing and Poverty: Exploitation vs. Empowerment

Do you want to keep the poor out of your neighborhood? Are you struggling to become a homeowner? In Poverty, by America, social scientist Matthew Desmond addresses the link between housing and poverty. He argues that some public policies and personal choices exploit the poor. But, he says that we can turn things around and offer empowerment instead of exploitation. Keep reading to understand Desmond’s argument.

What Causes Burnout at Work? 3 Cultural Realities to Blame

What Causes Burnout at Work? 3 Cultural Realities to Blame

Do you feel like you want to retire, but you’re only 30? Is work a nonstop reality in your life? Grace Beverley addresses today’s epidemic of burnout in her book Working Hard, Hardly Working. She points to three realities behind it: our culture of overwork, continuous access to technology, and economic uncertainty. Read more to learn what causes burnout at work in today’s world.