Includes bibliographical references (p. 153-165) and index.
Contents
What is the official poverty rate, and what does it actually measure? -- Poverty trends in modern America, according to the official poverty rate -- The official poverty rate versus other statistical indicators bearing on material deprivation in America -- Systematic differences between income and expenditures among poorer households in modern America -- Accounting for the widening reported gap between income and consumption for lower-income Americans -- Trends in living standards for low-income Americans -- Conclusion : wanted--new poverty measure(s) for modern America.