Understanding Social Problems

Question: Estimate what a family of four (two parents, two young children) would have to pay annually for food, clothing, shelter, energy, and other necessities of life. What figure do you end up with? How does this sum of money compare with the official 2015 federal poverty line of $24,250 for a family of four? What are some consequences this family of four will face if they cannot earn enough to cover these expenses? The area you have to use is: Indianapolis ( the state: Indiana) Answer: Annual Expenses of a family of four people in Indiana: General expenses of a family four members are calculated monthly by considering the present market and then the final figure has been drawn by calculating the annual expenses with the help of the monthly figures in each type of expenses. Expenses Monthly Annually Food $ 2,000.00 $ 24,000.00 Clothing $ 500.00 $ 6,000.00 Shelter $ 900.00 $ 10,800.00 Energy $ 80.00 $ 960.00 Other $ 100.00 $ 1,200.00 Total $ 42,960.00 Table 1: Cost estimation (Source: Indianapolis, 2016) The annual expenses of the family have been calculated considering the standard living costs in Indiana and the final figure is $42,960.00 (Expatistan, cost of living comparisons, 2016). The official 2015 federal poverty line is $24,250 which is too less than the calculated figure. This fact is indicating that the people who have the income level near to the poverty level cannot enjoy the standard living of life in the selected state. More than 100 million people are living in the poverty level or near the poverty level having income of this range (Glasmeier Farrigan, 2013). Consequences if the family can not earn enough amount of money for covering the expenses: The family will not be able to meet the requirements if the standard living if they do not earn the enough amount of money. The first problem they may face is to reduce the costs of their living which may results in a drastic change of the lifestyle of the family members. They will not be able to get proper level of nutrition as the standard foods will be not available to them. They have to reduce the expenses of clothing and other living costs like energy sources. Social security level in terms of food, clothes and other requirements may not be easily achievable to the family (Rank, 2013). The above mentioned are the common problem they may face in their normal life. The expenses calculation has been done without considering the costs required to have the proper education and medical facilities to the family. The children of the family will not be able to have proper education for developing their future better. In case of any medical issue they have to depend on the government and social care organization. The income level of family will not be enough for supporting the family in standard medical facilities (Edelman, 2013). In case of having any issues with the maintenance of the house in which they are living, they may not be able to fulfill the requirement. In this case also, they have to depend on the government and social care organization for finding a shelter. After considering the overall consequences of the family due to the low income of the family, it can be concluded that the family may be highly dependent on the government facilities. In this situation, they may face another big issue as they are not at below poverty level. They will not be able to get all the facilities provided by the government for decreasing the poverty level. References: Edelman, P. (2013).So rich, so poor: Why it's so hard to end poverty in America. New Press. Expatistan, cost of living comparisons, (2016). Cost of Living in Indianapolis, Indiana, United States. Feb 2016 prices in Indianapolis, Indiana.. [online] Available at: https://www.expatistan.com/cost-of-living/indianapolis [Accessed 14 Feb. 2016]. Glasmeier, A. K., Farrigan, T. L. (2013). Poverty in America: Living wage calculator. Indianapolis, (2016). Cost of Living in Indianapolis. [online] Numbeo.com. Available at: https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/city_result.jsp?country=United+Statescity=Indianapolis%2C+IN [Accessed 14 Feb. 2016]. Rank, M. R. (2013). Poverty in America is mainstream.The New York Times,2.