Poverty refers to the lack of basic needs like food, water, shelter, and healthcare. It can be absolute, meaning severe deprivation, or relative, where one's income is below the societal threshold. Poverty is caused by various factors like lack of concern for the future, self-defeating behaviors, and a culture of poverty that is passed down through generations. The effects of poverty are serious, including increased health problems for children, low birth weight, higher risk of accidents and illnesses, and higher stress levels in families. Poverty can continue in a cycle where the lack of resources makes it impossible for individuals to escape their impoverished situation.