Which of the following statements about the poor in the United States is true?

• A. The majority of the poor in the United States live in rural areas.
• B. A significant proportion of the poor in the United States are children.
• C. Almost all poor people in the United States are unemployed.
• D. Most poor individuals in the United States are elderly.

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the context of poverty in the United States by reviewing demographic data related to poverty, such as age groups, employment status, and geographic distribution.
2. Step 2: Analyze the statement about rural versus urban poverty. Research shows that while poverty exists in rural areas, a large portion of the poor population actually lives in urban areas, so the statement that the majority live in rural areas is generally false.
3. Step 3: Examine the age distribution of the poor. Data often indicates that a significant proportion of the poor are children, due to factors like family income levels and dependency status.
4. Step 4: Consider employment status among the poor. Many poor individuals are employed but earn low wages or work part-time, so the claim that almost all poor people are unemployed is inaccurate.
5. Step 5: Look at the age group of the elderly in poverty. While some elderly individuals are poor, they do not constitute the majority of the poor population, making the statement about most poor individuals being elderly incorrect.