The poverty guidelines are used to determine if a family is eligible for federal programs. These poverty guidelines are not useful for every family, because some families may receive a few dollars more than what the guidelines are. Because of these few dollars these families are not eligible for assistance and are still living in poverty. Poverty should not be measured by a money guideline. .
Children are the most affected by all the problems poverty may cause, and are more likely to live in poverty compared to the other American age groups. According to the article Treating Poverty in America, out of sixteen million children, one out of every five children is living in poverty. The United States is the fourth highest country living in poverty compared to the rest of the world (Wilson, 2014). Even though poverty is a huge problem alone, many other issues come with it. Sometimes poverty may cause a child and their family to become homeless. According to the article America's Youngest Outcasts: A Report Card on Child Homelessness, some of the major causes of homelessness for children living in the United States include single parenting, lack of affordable housing, racial disparities, and the nation's high poverty rate (Bassuk, et. al, 2014). If a family cannot afford proper housing for themselves, the family may become homeless. The family may even have to live on the street or in their cars. Some families may even live in a motel because it is cheaper than having to pay for an apartment or paying off mortgage for a house. These children do not have their own actual home, and they do not have a place to grow up in because they are living in motels and public places. Being homeless has many negative impacts on children. One negative aspect of homelessness for children is that the child may not receive an education because the family has no proof of address. If a child cannot receive an education, they do not have hope for living a life out of poverty in the future.