Rural Poverty in America - by Cynthia M Duncan (Hardcover)

About the Book

Nine million people in the United States live in rural poverty. This large segment of the population has generally been overlooked even as considerable attention, and social conscience, is directed to the alleviation of urban poverty. This timely, needed volume focuses on poor, rural people in poor, rural settings. Rural poverty is not confined to one section of the country or to one ethnic group. It is a national problem and the resolution of hidden America's persistent economic plight will now depend on a better understanding of who is poor and why. The clear, authoritative chapters describe the declining opportunities available in rural areas--including the social, educational, and political factors that so often pose barriers to economic advancement.

Part One provides a comprehensive description of the poor population and an analysis of rural poverty's underlying dynamics. Low wages, the character of rural labor markets, and chronic inter-generational poverty are carefully considered to lay the basis for formulating sound responses. Part Two looks at the condition of particular groups suffering poverty in rural areas. These include African-Americans, Appalchians, Native Americans, and migrant workers. It addresses the special problems of those who, although in relatively prosperous rural areas, live at or below the poverty level. Part Three looks to successful lessons from the past and evaluates current steps that may be taken to frame policy recommendations that will mitigate present stress, foster improved opportunities, and open a better life to America's rural poor.

Book Synopsis

Nine million people in the United States live in rural poverty. This large segment of the population has generally been overlooked even as considerable attention, and social conscience, is directed to the alleviation of urban poverty. This timely, needed volume focuses on poor, rural people in poor, rural settings. Rural poverty is not confined to one section of the country or to one ethnic group. It is a national problem and the resolution of hidden America's persistent economic plight will now depend on a better understanding of who is poor and why. The clear, authoritative chapters describe the declining opportunities available in rural areas--including the social, educational, and political factors that so often pose barriers to economic advancement.

Part One provides a comprehensive description of the poor population and an analysis of rural poverty's underlying dynamics. Low wages, the character of rural labor markets, and chronic inter-generational poverty are carefully considered to lay the basis for formulating sound responses. Part Two looks at the condition of particular groups suffering poverty in rural areas. These include African-Americans, Appalchians, Native Americans, and migrant workers. It addresses the special problems of those who, although in relatively prosperous rural areas, live at or below the poverty level. Part Three looks to successful lessons from the past and evaluates current steps that may be taken to frame policy recommendations that will mitigate present stress, foster improved opportunities, and open a better life to America's rural poor.

Review Quotes

?This is an impressive compendium that deserves a broad readership. Researchers, policy analysts, social work professionals, cooperative extension personnel, and others stand to benefit from the historical treatment of past anti-poverty efforts, the insights into the complex dimensions of the problem today, the rich portrayal of the ways people struggle, and the solid ideas for future policy initiatives. In the classroom, this book could be fruitfully used in a variety of both undergraduate and graduate courses.?-Rural Development Perspectives

"This is an impressive compendium that deserves a broad readership. Researchers, policy analysts, social work professionals, cooperative extension personnel, and others stand to benefit from the historical treatment of past anti-poverty efforts, the insights into the complex dimensions of the problem today, the rich portrayal of the ways people struggle, and the solid ideas for future policy initiatives. In the classroom, this book could be fruitfully used in a variety of both undergraduate and graduate courses."-Rural Development Perspectives

About the Author

CYNTHIA M. DUNCAN is Assistant Professor of Sociology at the University of New Hampshire. She researches and writes extensively on poverty in rural America, with special interest in Appalachia, the Delta, and northern New England.