the causes of poverty in the United States

Paper instructions:
Based on the material in the textbook chapter, explain the debate over the causes of poverty in the United States.

What evidence suggests that the poor are responsible for poverty?  What evidence suggests that society as a whole is

responsible for poverty?  Which side of the debate do you find more convincing?

Sociology, 14th ed., by John Macionis (Prentice Hall)
Chapter 11