INSTRUCTIONS:
Please respond to the following questions about the “Cost of Being Poor” journal article. Your response should be approximately 5-6 pages and demonstrate an advanced knowledge of the research article and Chapter 10 course material.
1. How did the researcher measure social class in the “Cost of Being Poor” journal article? Was it a subjective or objective measure? Was a single index or composite social class measured used? Do you think the researcher’s measurement of social was effective? Do you have a recommendations for establishing a more comprehensive measure of social class?
2. In your opinion, is upward social class mobility a reality? Why or why not? According to the research article, course textbook, and/or our class discussion, what are the barriers in the place that prevent individuals from becoming upwardly mobile?
3. In your opinion, which one of the following potential solutions should be implemented to offset the “ghetto tax” that results in poor people paying more for everyday good and products,? Why? Substantiate your response. Please be as descriptive as possible.
a. Offer poor consumers a financial subsidy (such as food stamps) to negate the higher costs of goods?
b. Offer cost-efficient businesses (e.g., Wal-Mart) tax breaks for moving into economically distressed areas?
c. Develop a cheap and effective public transportation system that can be used by residents of economically distressed areas?
4. In addition to the options presented in Question #3, what are other potential solutions that can be implemented to reduce/eliminate the “ghetto tax” that limits social mobility among many impoverished groups?
5. Thing about the “Cost of Being Poor” of from a cross-cultural perspective. Do you believe the results would be the same if the research was conducted in Europe, South America, Asia, Africa, etc.? Why or why not? Provide an example to substantiate your response.