Since 1973, the poverty rate for Americans over 65 has fallen, while it has increased for Americans under 18. An important reason for this is that:

A) older Americans are reluctant to retire, and they are taking jobs away from the younger generation

B) spending on programs that benefit the elderly (such as Social Security and Medicare) has increased, while aid to families with children has not kept up with inflation

C) a very small fraction of the population under age 18 lives with people over 65

D) most people under age 18 are unmarried and therefore have access to only one income

(B) spending on programs that benefit the elderly (such as Social Security and Medicare) has increased, while aid to families with children has not kept up with inflation

Explanation:

Since 1973 the poverty rate for people 65 or older has fallen dramatically. This drop could be ascribed to the enactment of the Medicare Program in 1965, which dramatically lowered out-of-pocket health care costs for this age group.

The major indicators of poverty in the United states are less education for impoverished families, more health problems and less access to nutritionally adequate food. They also are more likely to live in high-crime areas. Since 1973 government has taken measures to reduce this tendency to porverty for those aged 65 and above, by enacting programs. These has led to the poverty percentage for those at that age bracket to reduce the poverty rate for teenagers it has increased.