(ECONOMICS) an official definition of poverty, in which one third of one's income is spent on food. "Food," here, is defined as the most cost-effective way of meeting basic nutritional needs.
The definition has one advantage, which is that researchers can get comparable information about poverty for any country in the world. The disadvantage is that it's arbitrary (why one third? why food? why not shelter, health care, and heating?); the other is that the cost of living varies dramatically in different neighborhoods in different cities of different US states, yet the poverty level is the same (expressed in dollar amounts) everywhere in a given country.
A better measure is the self-sufficiency standard.
The definition has one advantage, which is that researchers can get comparable information about poverty for any country in the world. The disadvantage is that it's arbitrary (why one third? why food? why not shelter, health care, and heating?); the other is that the cost of living varies dramatically in different neighborhoods in different cities of different US states, yet the poverty level is the same (expressed in dollar amounts) everywhere in a given country.
A better measure is the self-sufficiency standard.
Living under the official poverty level can be a lot worse in affluent communities like San Francisco, where the cost of basic necessities is very high. On the other hand, it's also a lot worse in areas such as rural Mississippi, where public amenities (such as libraries equipped with computers for public use) are rare.
by Primus Intra Pares July 12, 2010
Get the poverty level mug.A type of movie that claims to be Deep and Real when in reality it just a movie that exploits poverish people for cheap drama.
by Weirdo Sheep January 14, 2018
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el capitan of the tool family, loser extrordinairre, someone who has a big head and talks big game, but every knows this person is lame and shuns/clowns him/her
will cirimele is a powertool.
by tyrell April 23, 2003
Get the powertool mug.Term used to describe life in Bend, Oregon or Central Oregon in general. Refers to numerous nearby mountain peaks, rivers, forests, clean air, and microbreweries, with the understanding that everyone will work for close to minimum wage ($7.50/hr) regardless of level of education due to a dysfunctional job market.
Honey, did you see the place for sale down the street? It's a run-down double-wide on a flat one acre lot. Includes monster truck. Wow, that's what I call "poverty with a view".
by MirrorPondGuzzler December 10, 2006
Get the poverty with a view mug.Colloquial name for Tampico brand fruit drink, essentially a knockoff Sunny D with even less health benefits.
by TullyJerkwad2808 February 20, 2018
Get the poverty punch mug.1. Conditon in which you fall below the needed amount of resources needed to live.
2. Financial guidelines used by some countries to establish a line, in which you fall below it you are considered poor.
2. Financial guidelines used by some countries to establish a line, in which you fall below it you are considered poor.
1. Half the children under the age of 12 died up until 200 years ago because most civilizations suffered from poverty.
2. I fall below America's poverty line of $13,000 a year. I only make $9000.
2. I fall below America's poverty line of $13,000 a year. I only make $9000.
by DesPERRYado November 2, 2004
Get the poverty mug.A foolish or incompetent person. Originally found on the back of a bus in Japan "Powertard Braking System"
It ironically sounds like a cross between power and retard and hence powertard was born
It ironically sounds like a cross between power and retard and hence powertard was born
by Kraken November 11, 2008
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