It may seem simple, but the role employment plays in explaining poverty in America is frequently misunderstood, especially when it comes to understanding why people might be poor for many years. It is generally accepted that having a job is a good way to avoid poverty, but policy debates too often focus on the “working poor,” meaning those who maintain consistent employment but are still in poverty. As it turns out, being stuck in poverty while maintaining steady employment is extremely rare. See the article here.
