I had to write a definition essay on Poverty. My teacher is really strict on grammar as well. The essay doesnt sound quite right to me. Anyone wanna help? Also with the grammar?

Poverty can be defined in many different ways, depending on who you ask. For some people, they think that poverty is living with no air conditioner, television, or lights; others may see poverty as struggling to pay bills on time. My definition of poverty is living in a destitute state with the inability to provide food, clothing, and reasonable shelter for yourself and/or your family.

Poverty is hard to define due to the range of living conditions within the poverty population. The average family in poverty does not represent every family. I don’t feel that someone is living in poverty if they can afford a cell phone, a new vehicle, satellite, and the miscellaneous items that are not a necessity to live with. Real poverty is when you are doing everything you can, but are still unable to provide adequate food, clothing, shelter, and the basic necessities for your family.