What does it mean to live a prosperous life? What role do social safety nets play in a prosperous society? How do people rise out of poverty in prosperous societies?

Video supplements additionally published on PolicyEd.org a product of Hoover Institution, Stanford University. To view them in their original format, click here.

Guiding Questions

• What does it mean to live a prosperous life?
• What role do social safety nets play in a prosperous society?
• How do people rise out of poverty in prosperous societies?

Objectives

• Students will define key terms: prosperity, poverty and social safety net.
• Students will analyze examples of government approaches to providing equal access to prosperity.
• Students will consider the role innovation has played in helping people achieve prosperity
• Students will analyze examples of charitable/philanthropic approaches to helping people rise out of poverty to prosperity.
• Students will analyze social programs and their effectiveness at minimizing poverty.

Student Resources:

• Hoover Institution Videos and Video Viewing Guides
  • Prosperity
  • Poverty
• Optional Student Handout
• https://www.debt.org/faqs/americans-in-debt/poverty-united-states/ – Web site for Engage section
• https://www.usa.gov/benefits – Web site for Explore research
• Glossary

Teacher Resources:

• Student Handout Answer Key

Facilitation Notes

• Depending on the level of scaffolding needed for your students, consider distributing the video viewing guides for added support.
• For the Engage activity, it is ok if students do not have time to read the entire page. They will be introduced to types of government social safety nets in the Explore section.
• For the “Four Corners Activity” place large poster paper or write on the board these four titles:
  • Lack of adequate education
  • Excessive, unmanageable debt, e.g. student debt, medical expenses, and consumer debt (credit cards)
  • Personal choices: e.g. substance abuse, dropping out of school, investments.
  • Personality characteristics, e.g. ambition, conscientiousness, etc.
• Modify the list of government programs, local charitable/philanthropic organizations, and entrepreneurs to suit your own community as needed.
• Information about all safety net programs can be found on usa.gov, an informational website run by the United States Federal Government.