With the rise of the internet and widely available information about almost everything, it’s a wonder that the rate of financial literacy has remained stagnant in the last 30 years. However, while financial literacy remained stable during the Information Age (1995-Present), the demand for government assistance programs has skyrocketed. In California, there are 24 homes for every hundred extremely low income rental households, with extremely low-income renters being defined in LA County as having a median household income under 41,610 dollars. That’s nowhere enough to meet demand.

USA Facts is a not-for-profit organization that takes raw government data and statistics and puts into an easy-to-read format so everybody can understand. I did my own lateral reading on this site and it’s trustworthy.

Section 8 is a housing-assistance program designed to help financially-disadvantaged families stay off the streets. There are 2 major types, with the most common one being housing assistance vouchers. This program gives a “housing voucher” to families. That voucher is then redeemed towards the cost of rent. In California, families are expected to use “30 percent of their income towards rent”(quote from text), or a minimum of 50 dollars while receiving housing vouchers. These households are normally 3-4 people.

Hester Prynne had no help from anyone in power. Her lover abandoned her to the wolves of Puritan society, and what freinds she may have had deserted her, even mocked her when she was on the scaffold. Yet, she still does well for Pearl. Hester wears shapeless, baggy, gray clothing as penance for what she’s done. Pearl couldn’t be more different. Her mother spoils her, and everyone notices. With her mother’s “delicate and innovative skill” worthy of “the dames of a court,” Pearl is given all of the clothes she could ever want, in the richest fabrics her mother can gather. (Hawthorne 51) Even the hard-hearted magistrates and priests call her “bird of scarlet plumage” and “Ruby, Coral, or Red rose” (Hawthorne 68) Her mother is obviously very financially secure to afford such beautiful and luxuriant clothing.

Hester still, after all those expenses on her child, as well as normal living expenses, still has a significant portion of her income left to give to the poor! She is doing so well that even her expenditures on Pearl’s rich clothing is called “a small expenditure” (Hawthorne 52). Miss Prynne donates time and money to those who have less than her, even through all her circumstances. She sets a wonderful example that we should all emulate.

Works Cited
MAIN SOURCE:

“How does the government support people with Section 8 housing?” USA Facts, November 3, 2023, usafacts.org/articles/how-does-the-government-support-people-with-section-8... 27 Aug, 2025

SCARLET LETTER:

Hawthorne, Nathaniel, Scarlet Letter, The. 1850 Applause, New York. 25 Aug 2025