Reference no: EM133525156
Discussion Post: Policy & Advocacy
To Prepare
Visit the Economic Policy Institute websites listed in the Learning Resources. The EPI has developed a formula to determine what it takes for a family to "make ends meet," taking into account family size and place of residence.
Begin by reading about the assumptions on which they base their calculations of a basic family budget.
Next, use their basic family budget calculator to find out what they would estimate it would cost your family size to live in your area.
Task
1. Describe the EPI's estimation of what it costs your family to live in your area.
2. Describe what you or your family would have to give up to live within the EPI's budget.
3. Explain how easy or hard it would be to give those things up.
4. Determine if the definition of what constitutes poverty is realistic.
a. For example, is the poverty line too low? Is it too high? How would your life change, and is it plausible to maintain key aspects of your life when living below the poverty line?