Which of the following is a true statement about poverty in American society?

• A. Poverty rates are higher among children than among the elderly.
• B. Most people living in poverty in the United States are elderly.
• C. The poverty rate in the United States has remained unchanged for the past 50 years.
• D. Poverty is equally distributed across all racial and ethnic groups in the United States.

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the context of poverty in American society by reviewing key statistics and demographic data related to poverty rates among different groups such as children, the elderly, and various racial and ethnic groups.
2. Step 2: Analyze the statement 'Poverty rates are higher among children than among the elderly' by comparing official poverty rate data from sources like the U.S. Census Bureau, which typically shows that children have a higher poverty rate than the elderly.
3. Step 3: Evaluate the other statements by checking their validity: for example, verify if most people living in poverty are elderly (which is generally false), if the poverty rate has remained unchanged over 50 years (historical data shows fluctuations), and if poverty is equally distributed across racial and ethnic groups (data shows disparities).
4. Step 4: Use the process of elimination based on factual data to identify which statement is true, focusing on the demographic group with the highest poverty rate.
5. Step 5: Conclude that the statement about children having higher poverty rates than the elderly is true, supported by empirical evidence and official statistics.