In their book, $2.00 A Day: Living on Almost Nothing in America, Kathryn Edin and H. Luke Shaefer present a bleak account of poverty in the United States through their research on the extreme poor (Edin & Shaefer 2015). Throughout the text they explore how social capital affects those living in poverty, both directly and indirectly. Social capital can be defined as “structures of shared values, reciprocal relationships and networks that facilitate social interactions” (Putnam 2000, p. 2) which are essential for people to survive and thrive within society

As Edin & Shaefer demonstrate through their research into extreme poverty, accessing resources such as health care or housing is often contingent upon having access to one’s social network . Without these connections it becomes difficult for individuals to obtain even basic needs such s shelter or food because nobody is able to provide assistance due to lack of trust between strangers (Edin & Shaefer 2015). This is further exacerbated by government policies which limit access services through stringent eligibility requirements making it harder for those without strong personal ties from receiving help when needed