need some research help on poverty issues

[grasswire]

I'm writing a guest editorial for my local newspaper and wonder if anyone has these stats at hand:

1. Average consumer debt load for a family of four.

2. Shrinkage in actual wages over 25 years.

3. Number of parents of preschoolers with both parents working outside the home.

4. Rise in number of hours per week for wage earners over past 25 years, if any.

Thanks in advance if you've got stats something like this.

[KoKo]

1. grasswire.....I think folks are saying do a Google Search?????????

I don't know why you haven't gotten any help on this....but maybe no one can pull this out of their "rabbits hat" of instant bookmarks.........

Sounds like a good project......and good luck.....I'm giving this a kick in case someone has some bookmarks that they can send your way......otherwise.....Google is a great start......

[Stephanie]

2. Here are some resources:

http://faculty.maryvillecollege.edu/library/researchguides/poverty.htm

Research Guides - Resources for Research on Poverty

Selected Web Resources

(Note - Annotations supplied from web sites).

U.S. Census Bureau: Poverty in the United States, 2001 http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/poverty.html

U.S. Census Bureau: State and County Quick Facts
http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/
Use the pop-up menus to select state information. Also, look for the link Browse More Datasets to find social and economic statistics for your state.

Institute for Research on Poverty (IRP) http://www.ssc.wisc.edu/irp/
The Institute for Research on Poverty, located at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, is a national, university-based center for research into the causes and consequences of poverty and social inequality in the United States. It is a nonprofit and nonpartisan organization. Frequently asked questions about poverty with related statistics include how is poverty measured, who is poor, how many children are poor, and what are good sources of information on basic trends in poverty, welfare, and related issues? Other useful links from this site can be found at http://www.ssc.wisc.edu/irp/povlinks.htm.

Joint Center for Poverty Research http://www.jcpr.org/
The Northwestern University / University of Chicago Joint Center for Poverty Research supports academic research that examines what it means to be poor and live in America. JCPR concentrates on the causes and consequences of poverty in America and the effectiveness of policies aimed at reducing poverty. Our goal is to advance what is known about the economic, social and behavioral factors that cause poverty, and to establish the actual effects of interventions designed to alleviate poverty. The Center's research agenda focuses on: changing labor markets and the causes of inequality in the current labor market; family functioning and the well-being of children; the impact of concentrated urban poverty; and the effects in these domains - and others - of changing policy and new programs.

Center on Budget and Policy Priorities http://www.cbpp.org/
This nonpartisan research group analyzes federal, state and local government policies affecting low- and moderate-income Americans.

Changing America: Indicators of Social and Economic Well-being by Race and Hispanic Origin http://www.access.gpo.gov/eop/ca/index.html
This internet report, prepared by the Council of Economic Advisors for the President's Initiative on Race, covers social-economic conditions faced by African, Latino, Asian, and Native American groups. There is data covering general population, education, employment, income and poverty, health, crime, and housing.

Children's Defense Fund (CDF) http://www.childrensdefense.org
CDF provides a strong, effective voice for all the children of America who cannot vote, lobby, or speak for themselves. We pay particular attention to the needs of poor and minority children and those with disabilities. CDF educates the nation about the needs of children and encourages preventive investment before they get sick or into trouble, drop out of school, or suffer family breakdown. CDF began in 1973 and is a private, nonprofit organization supported by foundations, corporation grants and individual donations. We have never taken government funds. Useful information may be found by using the site's Search feature or by using the Site Index.

Economic Policy Institute http://www.epinet.org/
The Economic Policy Institute is a nonprofit, nonpartisan think tank that seeks to broaden the public debate about strategies to achieve a prosperous and fair economy. The mission of the Economic Policy Institute is to provide high-quality research and education in order to promote a prosperous, fair, and sustainable economy. The Institute stresses real world analysis and a concern for the living standards of working people, and it makes its findings accessible to the general public, the media, and policy makers.

The Urban Institute http://www.urban.org
Founded in 1968, the Urban Institute is a nonpartisan, economic and social policy research organization. Its mission is to sharpen thinking about society's problems and efforts to solve them, improve government decisions and their implementation, and increase citizens' awareness about important public choices. Useful information may be found by using the web site's Search feature or by browsing under Research (What's New and by Topic).

The Heritage Foundation http://www.heritage.org
Founded in 1973, The Heritage Foundation is a research and educational institute -- a think tank -- whose mission is to formulate and promote conservative public policies based on the principles of free enterprise, limited government, individual freedom, traditional American values, and a strong national defense. Useful information may be found by using the web site's Search feature or by using the Key Issues pop-up menu (e.g. family, welfare, etc).

Family Research Council: Family Faith and Freedom http://www.frc.org
The Family Research Council is a nonprofit, nonpartisan educational organization. The Family Research Council exists to reaffirm and promote nationally, and particularly in Washington, DC, the traditional family unit and the Judeo-Christian value system upon which it is built. Useful information may be found by following the links Issues in Depth or Family Policy.

Poverty Guidelines, Research and Measurement
http://aspe.os.dhhs.gov/poverty/poverty.shtml
This government site produced by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation provides links for information about poverty guidelines. Additional links lead to other institutions and organizations.

[prolesunited]

3. FWIW

here's some stats for you.

From USA Today cover story on homelessness (Aug. 12, 2003):
U.S. Conference of Mayors report showed 41% of homeless are families with children, up from 34% in 2000.

Estimated 3.5 million will experience homelessness in given year.

About 20% of homeless are employed.

Nearly 28 million households, one in four, spent more than 30% of their income on housing.

Last year 1.5 million bankrupcty filings by individuals -- highest on record -- up from 289,000 in 1980.

Would love to see the editorial when you're done. Hope you post it here and good luck.

[jiacinto]

4. Ok

This is what I think I've heard; but, for a family, I think the average credit card indebtedness level is around 8000-10,000 dollars. But don't quote me on that.