128. Poverty Might Be Closer Than You Think

" A majority of Americans will at some point in their lives experience poverty."There are many myths and stereotypes surrounding the issue of poverty in the United States. One of the more widespread myths is that poverty strikes other people but not myself -- that poverty is an issue of "them" not "us." In contrast to this belief, our speaker will introduce research that indicates a majority of Americans will at some point in their lives experience poverty.As part of this talk, we will see Confronting Poverty, the poverty website and risk calculator that Dr Rank developed. Dr Rank will demonstrate how the poverty risk calculator works, and will also highlight other components of the website that can help inform users about poverty and inequality.Our speaker, Mark R. Rank, is the Herbert S. Hadley Professor of Social Welfare at Washington University in St. Louis. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin in the field of sociology, and is widely recognized as one of the foremost experts in the country on issues of poverty, inequality, and social justice. To date he has written ten books on a range of subjects, including an exploration of the American Dream, a new understanding of poverty and inequality, and the role of luck and chance in shaping the course of our lives.Dr Rank has received numerous awards over the years for his scholarship and books, and his research has been widely reported throughout the national and international news media. His work has been cited across major newspapers in the country, including frequent mentions in The New York Times and The Washington Post. He has also been featured in other media outlets including programs on National Public Radio, NBC, CBS, CNN, PBS, and many others. In addition, he has provided his research expertise to members of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, the White House, and many national organizations involved in issues of economic and social justice.To learn more, go to: https://confrontingpoverty.org