Many observers think there is a permanent underclass in American society—

most of those in poverty typically remain poor from year to year. Over the pe-

riod 1970-2000, the percentage of the American population in poverty each year has been remarkably stable, at 12% or so. Income figures for each year were taken from the March Current Population Survey of that year; the cutoff for poverty was based on official government definitions. 15 To what extent do these data support the theory of the permanent underclass?

Discuss briefly. p-968