The following sections of this BookRags Literature Study Guide is offprint from Gale's For Students Series: Presenting Analysis, Context, and Criticism on Commonly Studied Works: Introduction, Author Biography, Plot Summary, Characters, Themes, Style, Historical Context, Critical Overview, Criticism and Critical Essays, Media Adaptations, Topics for Further Study, Compare & Contrast, What Do I Read Next?, For Further Study, and Sources.
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The following sections, if they exist, are offprint from Beacham's Encyclopedia of Popular Fiction: "Social Concerns", "Thematic Overview", "Techniques", "Literary Precedents", "Key Questions", "Related Titles", "Adaptations", "Related Web Sites". (c)1994-2005, by Walton Beacham.
The following sections, if they exist, are offprint from Beacham's Guide to Literature for Young Adults: "About the Author", "Overview", "Setting", "Literary Qualities", "Social Sensitivity", "Topics for Discussion", "Ideas for Reports and Papers". (c)1994-2005, by Walton Beacham.
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Relative economic and social ranking of an individual or family.
An assessment of an individual or family's relative economic and social ranking comprises the socioeconomic status. Many organizations use an assessment of a family's financial resources—referred to as a means test—as a way to qualify the person or family for certain programs, such as government assistance programs and financial aid for education. Means tests are used by social service agencies, colleges and universities, private and parochial schools, and other agencies providing programs for children and in determining eligibility for financial aid.
A key qualifier used by U.S. government agencies is the poverty level. For a family to be considered as living in poverty, the Department of Health and Human Services establishes income guidelines every year.
For 1997, the following income levels were set as the "poverty line" for the 48 contiguous states and the District of Columbia.
| Number of family members | Maximum household income to be considered "living in poverty" |
|
For families with more than eight members add $2,720 for each additional member. |
|
|
Source: Federal Register 62 (March 10, 1997): 10857. |
|
| One | $7,890 |
| Two | $10,610 |
| Three | $13,330 |
| Four | $16,050 |
| Five | $18,770 |
| Six | $21,490 |
| Seven | $24,210 |
| Eight | $26,930 |
Berger, Joseph, et al. Status Characteristics and Social Interaction: An Expectation-States Approach. New York: Elsevier Scientific, 1977.
Ellis, Lee. Social Stratification and Socioeconomic Inequality. Westport, CT: Praeger, 1993.