Salt of the Earth: Study probes American perceptions of poverty

Stat house
June 2001

Study probes American perceptions of poverty
When Americans think of the issues they'd most like to see government address, poverty doesn't often come to mind.

In fact, only one in 10 Americans say poverty, welfare, or similar issues should be among government's two top priorities. Education, health care, taxes, and Social Security all rate higher, according to a survey by National Public Radio, the Kaiser Family Foundation, and Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government. This despite the survey's finding that 55 percent call poverty a "big problem" in the country and another 33 percent consider it "somewhat of a problem."

Perhaps Americans don't think government should focus on poverty because they don't believe government programs have much of an impact. The survey takers asked respondents if they think government programs to help the poor are making things better, making things worse, or not having an impact one way or the other. Nearly half think the programs are having little effect and only 34 percent think they are making things better. Forty-nine percent say the government could not eliminate poverty even if it spent as much money as it thought necessary; 47 percent think it could.

Despite their ambivalence toward government programs, many Americans are happy about the new welfare laws. Of those who know about the 1996 changes, 61 percent think they are working well. Eighty-seven percent say they are effective because they require people to work. But nearly three quarters of respondents believe those who have gotten jobs and left the welfare rolls are still poor.

The NPR/Kaiser/Kennedy School survey also questioned respondents about the causes of poverty and their perceptions of the poor. It found Americans sharply divided along several lines, including economic level, ethnicity, and political party.

Americans are evenly split over the factors behind poverty. About half (48 percent) say poor people are poor because they don't do enough to help themselves escape poverty, while nearly as many (45 percent) say circumstances beyond their control cause them to be poor. Those making less than twice the federal poverty level—currently $17,029 for a family of four—are just slightly more likely to say poverty is caused by outside circumstances. They are much more likely than Americans with higher incomes, however, to attribute poverty to drug abuse, medical bills, low-paying jobs, and too many immigrants. Those making more money are most likely to name poor quality public schools as the most important cause of poverty.

Respondents are also clearly divided along racial lines. Seventy-two percent of African Americans call poverty a "big problem"; only half of whites do. African Americans are also more likely than whites (57 percent to 44 percent) to say outside circumstances cause poverty, to think government could end poverty (67 percent to 40 percent), and to argue most welfare recipients want to work (54 percent to 45 percent).

Finally, political splits are apparent, especially regarding perceptions of the poor. Only 37 percent of Democrats say people are not doing enough to help themselves out of poverty, compared to 63 percent of Republicans. Democrats are much more likely to think government can eliminate poverty (56 percent to 34 percent) and welfare recipients really want to work (55 percent to 37 percent). Republicans are more likely (60 percent to 38 percent) to say poor people have it easy because they can get government benefits without doing anything in return. More than half of Democrats say poor people have hard lives because government benefits don't go far enough to help them live decently; 28 percent of Republicans agree.—Anne Graber

For more info:
"Poverty in America" survey results
National Public Radio
Kaiser Family Foundation
Harvard's Kennedy School of Government

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