Poverty in the United States Poverty is defined by Webster and refers to the state of those who do not have a usual or socially acceptable amount of money or material goods. The most common measure of poverty in the United States is called the poverty line. This measure determines the lack of food and needs commonly taken for granted. The federal poverty line for a family of four is about $23,550 a year in 2013. Many people at some point will have lived below the poverty line for at least a year, according to the government. Poverty rates are consistently high in rural areas and urban centers across the United States. According to the November 2012 Census Bureau, more than 16% of the US population lived in poverty. This includes 20% of American children. In 2011, child poverty reached an all-time high, with more than 16.7 million children living without enough food for the day. (US Census Bureau, 2013). Effects of Poverty The effects of poverty will be more severe than ever. Some of the major ways poverty affects the United States are: higher crime rates, alcohol...