Progress
See the comparison above (click to enlarge) between "Households Below the Poverty Level in 2001" and "All Households in 1950." For example:34% of poor households today have dishwashers vs. 2% of all U.S. households in 1950.
97% of poor households today have TV vs. 10% of all U.S. households in 1950.
56% of poor households today have clothes dryers vs. 2% of all U.S. households in 1950.
Due to technological progress, greater productivity and cheaper household goods, the average poor household today lives at a higher standard of living on many dimensions, than the average, or even high-income household 50 years ago.
2 Comments:
No doubt these technologies are more easily available for less cost now but I also wonder about the demographic of rural VS urban poor. Urban poor are more likely to live in apts or subsidized rental units which come equipped with such things as dishwashers, airconditioning, and washing machines
I wonder how many of the rural poor have these items as oppossed to the urban poor?
Also, I read how savings accounts today are far less smaller than the 1950s. I would like to give up my dishwasher, TVs and all the other appliances for a larger savings account.
Post a Comment
<< Home