Poverty Measurement: A Social Work Perspective

The purpose of this study is to determine the information given to BSW students about poverty measurement and alternative measures via standard social work textbooks. Poverty measurement is rarely discussed in the national conversation about poverty in the United States. The poverty rate, guidelines and threshold are regularly used by policy makers and communicated to the public, but the formulas behind the calculations of these measures are not well known. The calculations of these measures are based on outdated assumptions and have not been updated in more than half a century. This study presents a literature review on poverty measurement in the United States. The findings of a content analysis of 18 introductory and policy social work textbooks for the discussion of poverty measurement and alternative measures reveals gaps in the presentation of this important information. The correlation between the lack of discussion in BSW textbooks and lack of advocates for change is discussed and suggestions for amendments are given in the conclusion of the study