Poverty in Orlando

When considering social justice issues in Orlando Florida, one of the major concerns I have encountered is the number of people living in poverty.  The current Orlando Florida poverty level sits higher than the national average at 15.9% (Sebelius, 2013).  Recognized as The City Beautiful, Orlando has left many of its residents on the streets due to the cost of living and other socioeconomic factors.  Median rent in Orlando is $971 a month, which is 21% higher than the national average (Area Vibes, Inc, 2013). 

Minimum wage in Florida is $7.79 an hour (United States Department of Labor, 2013).  Simple math will lead you to the conclusion that a person who makes minimum wage and works a full 40 hours a week, every week out of the year, will make less than $15,000 annually before taxes.  If this said person is paying the average rent for an apartment in Orlando Florida, they will have a mere couple thousand dollars left over to cover the cost of transportation, food, child care, clothing, and other living expenses. 

Unemployment contributes to the number of people living in poverty.  As of August 2012, unemployment in Orlando was 8.7% (City Data, 2012).  Lack of education is also a contributing factor to low income households.  Roughly 82% of people aged 25 and older have just a mere high school education (City Data, 2012).  Lack of education contributes to the number of people who are forced to take minimum wage jobs.  Education is the key to economic self-sufficiency and breaking the cycle of poverty (Fight Poverty, 2006). 

Poverty increases the likelihood of crime, drug/alcohol abuse, and mental illness as well as a variety of other related factors (Poverties.org, 2013).  The cycle of poverty suggests that these issues are interrelated and do not normally occur on their own, making it hard to ever get out of poverty (Poverties.org, 2013).  The people who are impacted by poverty in Orlando are the men, women, and children who are unable to meet their basic needs due to various factors. 

So, who benefits by keeping people poor?  Political, economic, and social forces all contribute to the idea that there are benefits to having poor people.  It is said that poor people are less likely to vote to implement economic changes, are more likely to take dirty jobs, and are an important part of this society, which focuses on hierarchical order and the ability to compare individuals based on socioeconomic status (Gans, 2012).    

The goal of social work is to help people address their problems and match them with the necessary resources to function in a healthy way in this society, as is the case with individuals who are living in poverty.  According to the social work philosophy, “Peace is not possible where there are gross inequalities of money and power, whether between workers and managers, nations and nations or men and women” (National Association of Social Workers, 2013). 

In order to end poverty in Orlando, it would be beneficial for individuals to seek the support of local social service agencies.  Social workers need to address and assess the issues of crime, drug abuse, alcohol abuse, and mental illness on an individual basis in order to eliminate the cycle of poverty and implement changes in this society.  I believe the most effective way to do this is by helping individuals overcome their personal obstacles rather than tackling poverty as a macro issue.  Helping one person get out of poverty can break the cycle and increase the likelihood that generations to come will avoid living in poverty. 

References

Area Vibes, Inc. (2013). Orlando, Fl Housing, Homes & Rentals. Retrieved from http://www.areavibes.com/orlando-fl/housing/

City Data. (2012). Orlando, Florida. Orlando: CityData.com.

Fight Poverty. (2006). Causes of Child Poverty: Lack of Educational Attainment. Retrieved from http://www.fightpoverty.mmbrico.com/reasons/educational.html

Gans, H. (2012). The Benefits of Poverty. Challenger Magazine, pp. 114-125.

National Association of Social Workers. (2013). Social Justice. Retrieved from NASW: http://www.socialworkers.org/pressroom/features/issue/peace.asp

Poverties.org. (2013). Causes and Effects of Poverty on Society, Children, and Violence. Retrieved from Research for Social and Economic Development: http://www.poverties.org/effects-of-poverty.html

Sebelius, K. (2013). Annual Update of the HHS Poverty Guidelines. Retrieved from Federal Registrar: https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2013/01/24/2013-01422/annual-update-of-the-hhs-poverty-guidelines#t-1

United States Department of Labor. (2013). Wage and Hour Division. Retrieved from http://www.dol.gov/whd/minwage/america.htm