Reflection Paper #2
DUE Friday, September 19th
This paper will be your reflection/thoughts on poverty in America. What are the causes, consequences, and potential solutions for impoverished individuals and families? As with every reflection paper, it should be 1-2 pages, double-spaced, 12-point font (and no weird/extra spacing/fillers) – and you need to refer (make a connection) to at least one of the readings assigned for this week.
“Growing Up Poor in America” follows three children and their families in Ohio as the COVID-19 pandemic amplifies their struggle to stay afloat; the children also share their worries and hopes about their futures.
What are some of the reasons why the families profiled have experienced financial difficulties?
What are some of the longer term consequences (social, educational, financial, etc) for the parents and children in these families?
How has the COVID-19 pandemic impacted their lives?
Based on this video, your readings, and the recorded lecture, what policy changes could be made to improve the outlook for impoverished children and their families? In other words, how could we provide more economic security and achieve our lauded goal of being a meritocracy?
Week 2
How we view and address social problems
Media consolidation
Political polarization
Media consolidation/concentration/conglomeration
Over the past 40 years, the number of corporations controlling the majority of US media has gone from 50 to 5
Fairness Doctrine
1949 – Federal Communications Commission (FCC) required broadcasters to present controversial issues of public importance and that news must be presented in ways that are honest, equitable, and balanced
1987 – FCC eliminated this policy
many argue removing this rule has led to increased political polarization
Intergroup contact theory
the most effective way to rid people from majority groups of bigoted ideas about racial, ethnic, or sexual minorities is to have them interact with people from those groups
Political polarization
Political sorting – increasingly, since the 1970s, liberals identify as Democrats and
conservatives identify as Republicans – thus, ideological overlaps
between conservatism and liberalism are diminishing
Ideological consistency – increasingly, people consistently support liberal or
conservative positions when presented with policy-related questions
Consistently liberal or conservative 1994 – 10% 2014 – 21%
Things to think about – Reflection paper #1
