The Working Poor Invisible in America by Shipler - Essay Example

The Working Poor invisible in America Purpose of the Book The book by David Shipler looks into impoverished lives ofthe working poor in America. The book by the Pulitzer winning journalist is a detailed description of his research findings on poverty and its effect on the working poor and their families. Shipler describes the challenges in the families of the working poor. Shipler’s seeks to define poverty and expose the poor families in America living in the shadows of prosperity (Shipler 11). Shipler’s book challenges the American myth that suggests hard work is the way out of poverty. Shipler suggests that such an idea disregards the efforts of the low-income earners who take up more than two jobs to provide for their families. Shipler provides an overview on the causes of poverty in the society he describes factors, which include, finance, psychological perception, lack of education, lack of support, personal reasons, and societal issues all of which contribute to an individual’s poverty state (Shipler 35). Shipler provides reasons to explain why the poor remain poor in the society. Shipler considers the interlocking problems in poor families and their probable solutions. Shipler talks of the role of the society in the fight against poverty. Shipler’s book provides the governments view on the issue of poverty and their role in eradicating poverty. Shipler’s books defines poverty, the causes of poverty, the challenges associated with poverty and the probable solutions to the challenges associated with poverty. The author explains how poverty results from failures. Shipler connects issues such as faults in schools, governments programs, issues in society, family issues that limit economical and social progress in the society. The book provides an understanding on poverty as a societal issues and not an individual issue. Synopsis Shipler narrates the experience of the working poor in America in 11 chapters. Each chapter addresses either a cause or effect of poverty. Shipler shares the struggles, the frustrations, and the setbacks that the working poor face in their effort to make ends meet. Shipler states that the problems linked to low wage work are interconnected. In chapters, one and two Shipler describes the problems that are associated with poverty. Shipler states that people surviving on a low wage work have difficulty affording health insurance coverage many have large debts that hinder their efforts of fighting poverty. A good example he points out is the case of Lisa Brooks a 24-year-old single mum who earned her living as a caretaker for mentally ill adults. Shipler describes that Lisa and her four kids’ live in a damp apartment. She has a 9 year old who is asthmatic. The wage she earns from her caretaker job can hardly cater for the children’s needs. Shipler states that many working poor take up more than one job to enable them support their families According to Shipler, many single women in the United States supporting families face challenges such as sexism, depression (Shipler 41). The frustrations arising due to poverty have been associated with cases of attempted suicides, depression, and neglect of responsibility. Shipler explains that such a mental state prevents an individual from progressing. Shipler points out that the plight of the working poor arises from the fact that they spend money on things that are unimportant. For example, Shipler considers Goodell’s case where she traces her impoverished state from her childhood. Goodell states that her family could not break away from poverty because they spent money on things that are not essential (Shipler 35). Shipler looks into the issue of importing cheap labour into the United States. Immigrants getting into the United States in search of a better life tend to settle for low-income jobs (77). Shipler mentions the garment industry as an example of an industry that utilises cheap labour. It is evident that for the immigrants the United States labour market pays better than their home country. These immigrants take up many jobs some even work overtime for the extra money. Shipler explains that with low paying jobs the opportunity for an upward mobility economically and socially is impossible. Shipler considers the plight of low wageworkers in their work place. The working poor lack the skills, work experience, education needed to progress socially and economically. A good example is the ex-convicts who avoid venturing into the labour market due to their fear of being under qualified. Shipler states that a pessimistic attitude is a barrier to progress. Shipler provides of an example of a girl Peaches who grew up in an unfavourable environment. Peaches grew up being reminded how ugly and useless she was, however, Peaches overcame these obstacles and proved to the world that she was a valuable person (Shipler 151). The obstacles Peaches went through shaped her into the person she became. Shipler mentions that families, schools play a major role in preparing children for the challenges of life. In chapter nine Shipler considers the role of education in influencing the lives of children from poor families. Shipler states that the government needs to come up with a fair and adequate funding system that will ensure children get the right education support. Shipler considers parenting as a factor that influences the lives of children enormously. Low wage earning parents either lack the time for their children or they are under depression and this affects their parenting. Shipler points out success stories in chapter ten where families have overcome problems related with poverty. Shipler states factors such as intensive and targeted training, money management, training on soft skills, multiple wage earners in families guarantee change in the lives of the working poor. Success stories present optimism for low wage earners. Shipler states that dealing with problems related to poverty requires a holistic solution. Shipler states that the American society needs to utilise the skills, resources it has to fight poverty (Shipler 286). Shipler suggests solutions like increasing the minimum wage as a way of helping low wageworkers. Motivating the poor through job training programs, vocational training of high school children, offering apprenticeship opportunities for school dropouts will assist members of the society and at the same time benefit the country’s economy (Shipler 293). Implications drawn from the Book Shipler's book makes the working poor visible to the rest of the society. It is evident that the struggles of the low wage earners are issue that concerns the society. Low wage earners play a role in supporting the growth and well-being of the United States economy. Shipler work implies that poverty is an issue that affects every society. It is evident that there are people who are born into poverty others fall into poverty due to issues related with mismanagement. Shipler states that to solve a poverty issue it is important to address the cause of the problem. Poverty can arise from issues like low wages, discrimination, lack of self worth, lack of education, and lack of support. Addressing these issues is an initial step in combating poverty. Shipler’s interaction with the working class poor provides evidence that contradicts the American myth that suggests poverty can be eradicated through hard work. Shipler addresses the problems related to poverty, but he points out that poverty is an issue that affects every race, culture or religion. Shipler acknowledges the contribution of the low paid earners to the prospering United States economy. According to shipler the jobs performed by the low paid earners is important in ensuring a thriving economy. Shipler shares the optimism of low paid earners. This optimism drives low-paid earners to take up multiple jobs to enable them overcome the problems of poverty. The optimism and persistence embodied by low paid earners has seen the development of success story. An example that gives hope for the working poor is the story of Leetha Butler a grandmother who manages to take care of her 3 grandchildren with a minimum wage. The grandmother provides for the needs of her grandchildren by being economically smart (Shipler 30). Shipler points out that the government has a responsibility to assist its citizens. The government needs to bring together the profit, non-profit worlds, private industries and charity institutions in fighting poverty (290). Work Cited Shipler, David K. The Working Poor: Invisible in America. New York: Vintage Books, 2004. Print. Read More