Discussion : The Experience of Poverty

After reading and watching the module materials. Then, in the following scenario, you're going to put yourself in the position of someone who has either started out with nothing or who has lost everything (savings, home, job). Go to playspent.org and complete the poverty simulation exercise (click on "Continue to Spent").

After you've completed the simulation, post a reflection. In your reflection, address the following:

1. Briefly summarize your experience of the simulation. How did you do in the simulation? Did you make it through the month? What kinds of sacrifices did you have to make in order to try to succeed?

2. What did this simulation and Tammy's story suggest about why it might be hard to move out of poverty?

3. What ideas can you connect from your reading by Shaefer. Edin and Talber, "Understanding the Dynamics of $2-a-Day Poverty in the United States"?

4. What's an institutional level change that you think could make it easier for people to move out of poverty?

Respond to at least one of your classmate's posts in one of the following ways:

• Note something they observed about the experience of trying to move out of poverty that you hadn't considered (an important insight).

• Note something about their post that you disagree with, and explain why.

• Explain why you think their suggestion for institutional change would or wouldn't help people move out of poverty.

Remember that the best posts and responses will draw from course materials, including specific terminology and information from course readings as relevant.