Can the Poor in the U.S. Have a Reasonable Hope of Lifting Themselves out of Poverty? What About the Elderly That Are Impoverished?

Can the poor in the U.S. have a reasonable hope of lifting themselves out of poverty? What about the elderly that are impoverished? Briefly Discuss.

After watching the video a family of four making $21,000 a year is still considered within poverty guidelines. If this is actually true how a family who brings in this does much money ever get out of poverty. It didn't say if both parents are there or working so you can only give your opinion on what the video is talking about. There is help out there but you have to be in a certain pay line. And sometimes you make too much for assistance. Or they give you an amount that doesn't even feed your children. It seems that the more you make as a family the harder it is to survive because the economy prices keep going up. Living in poverty can also be passed down through your generations. There seems to be no light at the end of the tunnel when that happens, but if you use all your assets that is given to you it is possible to get out of debt and poverty but it just doesn't fall in your laps, you have to make that effort also. The elderly that are struggling is so sad because they have to rely on assistance as well and their retirement may not be anything they can live on or pay their bills. To be over 60 years old and having to still be working to support yourself is scary. I have seen 70 year old working because they can survive on their retirement or social security. Having to rely on the support of others can be hard for some elderly people because it is called "Pride". They don't like asking because of embarrassing moments. They feel they don't want to take from their families who need it for themselves. It is too late when you're elder to start over but sometimes it happens. The government needs programs for the elderly and young kids just starting out on budgeting and bill paying. Everyday people young and old fall through the cracks of our social service system and are forgotten. I personally know what it feels like to be forgotten as a single-parent of a five year old. I lived in a car and also in a shelter in my 40s but by the grace of God I was able to work and save and finally get a place to live and have been above water ever since. I try to instill my morals and hard work in my daughter but she will be learning the hard way because she wants to do her own thing. I know there are head-start programs and budgeting programs to include parenting classes for the young mothers.