The Effects of Poverty on the Brain
Cade Gerlach
Poverty in the United States stood at 13.5% with 43.1 million living below the poverty line in 2015; however, homeless people are not included. In addition, 19.4 million or 44% of those in poverty reported living in deep poverty; this is defined as making less than 50% of the poverty threshold. Poverty is defined as one person making $12,082 a year to a family of 9 or more making $49,177 a year. The method to determine the official poverty rate was created in the 1960s by Lyndon Johnson in order to assist with his war on poverty. This information is released each September by the US Census Bureau. Prior to the passing of the War on Poverty by LBJ, poverty was in the mid 20s; however, since passing, poverty has fluctuated between 10% and 15%.
Poverty is a self-perpetuating cycle and this is partly due to its effects on the brain. The prefrontal cortex is an area in the front of your brain. It controls problem solving, goal setting, task execution, personality, and moderating social behavior. The limbic system works with it and is located near the center of the brain. The limbic system deals with emotions and is causes emotional responses like crying and laughing. It also helps store long term memory. However, due to the various stresses of poverty such as not making ends meet, putting food on the table, etc. the limbic system is constantly sending stress and fear messages to the prefrontal cortex. This constant barrage hinders its ability to operate efficiently. Poverty is in effect hindering people's abilities to make good decisions, solve problems, and focus on improving their lives. Children are even more affected by poverty as the lack of resources places constant stress on their brains.
Fighting poverty is expensive and costs quite a bit or about $212 billion. Critics of anti-poverty programs may complain about how much they cost, but in reality, we’re paying more in the short run and spend less in the long run. Each child lifted out of poverty has a much greater potential of achieving his or her dreams and becoming a productive member of society. Those who remain are more likely to commit crimes, skip school, not go to college, or be incarcerated. Therefore, it is imperative we create a new war on poverty. This would include family counseling, universal day care, expansion of medicaid and SNAP, and other programs. It will be expensive, but to not pay these short term costs is to pay more in the long run. Poverty does not need to be this high. In numerous other Industrialized nations it is lower. We just need to redefine what our priorities are in favor of the poorest among us.
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Mathewson, Tara García. "How Poverty Changes the Brain." The Atlantic. Atlantic Media Company, 19 Apr. 2017. Web. 26 Apr. 2017.
"UC Davis Center for Poverty Research." What is the current poverty rate in the United States? N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Apr. 2017.
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