Essay --

What is one of the biggest problems in Latin America today? Is it the slums that some people live in or the way poor people are treated? Both these ideas connect to Latin America’s largest problem today, the major income gap between the rich and the poor. When people think of Latin America in modern day some will think of the rich citizens who live prosperous lives, but many of them also think of the poor folk who live in slums such like the favelas of Rio. This might not seem like such a big issue to us, but for the people of Latin America this could not only affect their economy, but their politics as well. So, why is this important, what does this have to do with anything? Other than a political or economic problem the income gap is a matter of social justice. How can people live like that? Why do 10% of the richest get half the income while the poorest 10% only get 0.8%? This is an unfair way of living. How is this important one might ask. Well these statistics, and the reality could make the poor angry. Numerous revolts have occurred and what is to say that the needy will not do that again. This is a matter of social justice that needs to be fixed. Other research also shows that the unprivileged have a shorter lifespan than middle and upper class citizens. This could lead to a drop in Latin America’s population and also drop the employment rate. Overall there are many reasons why this pressing issue of the income gap is so important but the real question is, how will this impact Latin America as a whole. Many of the reasons why the income gap is important tie into how it impacts Latin America. People living in the slums are prone to catching diseases. This could lead up to the spreading of those diseases and many people be... ...r government and help reduce the income gap that exists today. Overall the government can help narrow this income gap in many ways if they tried. In conclusion the increasing income gap in Latin America is becoming a big issue in modern day society. Not only is it affecting the citizens of Latin America but someday this can also lead up to us, the people of the US. The rich could even, eventually take over leaving the poor in an even worse state than before. However, with help we can change this gap and aid the poor to get jobs to help the growing economy of Latin America. With all the people living in these countries they could become a very successful area of the world only if this unfair treatment is stopped. In the long run the only thing that is keeping Latin America from becoming prosperous, (all around), is the wide income gap between the rich and the poor.