In Module 1, you watched the PBS Frontline Documentary, Facing Eviction, which takes a glimpse at the housing crisis that many faced during the Covid pandemic as a result of massive layoffs, struggling job markets, and economic struggles. Access to affordable housing for those in poverty is an ever increasing problem. In addition to the Facing Eviction documentary, read the article “What Happened to Poverty in America in 2021” that examines the impact that certain policies and assistance programs had on families, especially children, experiencing poverty. Direct link to the article – https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/article/poverty-america-2021-covid-pandemic/
As we consider all of this information, I also want you to think about how other personal characteristics such as race, gender, sexual orientation, and age also impact this larger social problem of poverty in society (as discussed in our chapter readings).
Reflection Paper Instructions: As you write your reflection, include the following: (1) Reflect on the issues covered in the documentary Facing Eviction by discussing 3 specific and important takeaways from this documentary as they relate to the complicated nature of poverty. (2) As discussed in the “What Happened to Poverty in American is 2021” article, summarize some of the assistance programs that launched due to the impact of the Covid pandemic on employment. Reflect on the ending question from this article, “Are we willing to make this type of commitment on a more permanent basis?” (3) Explain the individualistic and structural explanations of poverty and give some examples from the Facing Eviction documentary that you feel connect with these explanations of poverty. (4) Finally, when we consider personal characteristics like race, gender, sexual orientation, and age, is there a specific population that is at a greater risk to experience poverty in the U.S.? Explain why these populations are so vulnerable.
Formatting guidelines: Make sure your paper is around 3 pages in length. Double-spaced. 1-inch margins, Size 12 Times New Roman or Calibri font style. This is a personal reflection (more like an essay), not a research paper. Outside sources are not needed and shouldn’t be used except to discuss the documentary and article that are included in this assignment. Our text explains the individualistic and structural explanations of poverty, so feel free to use our text to assist in your understanding and discussion of these concepts. I suggest that you save your file as a PDF prior to submission into the Dropbox. This often ensures no changes to your formatting occurs once the file is uploaded and opened for review and grading.
