Question

In 2007, the poverty threshold for a family of four, two of whom were related children, was $21, 027. At the same time, the poverty threshold for a family of four, three of whom were related children, was $21,100. For each of the preceding years, the difference between these two thresholds was less than $100. What conclusions can you draw from this?

Answer 1

The basic costs figured in to the definition of "poverty threshold" are the same for 4 people, whether children or adults.
Economists come up with a number based largely on rent, with other basic need factors mixed in. a $500 a month apartment costs the same no matter what 4 people live in it.