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Penny Closser Exposes Systemic Hardships in New Book on Poverty

Author Penny Closser exposes systemic poverty challenges in new book, highlighting benefits cliffs, educational inequities, and real struggles of low-income Americans.

This book matters because it brings urgent attention to systemic issues that trap millions of Americans in cycles of poverty, affecting everything from education to basic survival. The 'benefits cliff' phenomenon—where small wage increases cause loss of essential assistance—creates perverse disincentives that keep working families in precarious situations. Educational inequities between districts perpetuate intergenerational poverty, limiting economic mobility. For readers, this isn't just abstract policy discussion but real-life consequences affecting communities, workforce stability, and social cohesion. Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for anyone concerned about economic justice, effective social programs, or creating pathways out of poverty.