Policy and Complex Systems
emergent behavior over the time span of the strategy . Framing is this twenty-first century method .
Framing is an adaptive approach used to understand one ' s complex environment and interpret conflict . Ryan and Banach ( 2009 ) defined framing as the process through which a policymaker cognitively organizes knowledge about the world , interprets new experiences , and creates alternate worldviews . This process also allows for reframing once observations present new information about the problem . Simply , reframing is restarting a frame after discarding outdated hypotheses or theories that defined the original frame ( Ryan & Banach , 2009 ). Reframing happens when legacy worldviews are no longer valid . The use of reframing makes sense of new information , events , or experiences .
Framing is a broad and supple approach to resolving wicked problems . It is a concept used to describe how individuals interpret particular reference frames within their environments ( Schön & Rein , 1994 ). Policymakers use multiple perspectives through which amorphous , ill-defined problematic situations are assessed , made sensible and assigned action ( White , 1987 ). A perspective is a subjective evaluation of relative information , data , and actors in a system ( White , 1987 ). Policymakers who use the framing approach consider all stakeholders involved in a complex problem and work more deliberately to determine how policy implementation would affect them . Framing requires policymakers to first challenge their understanding of the problem , and this act of considering a problem from the perspective of all who are involved leads to a more comprehensive understanding of the problem .
Many twentieth century problemsolving approaches include heavy use of the narrative . The narrative in today ’ s culture is manifested in several forms ( White , 1987 ). The narrative is used as a tool to develop strategy , as a form of information delivery , and as a persuasion tactic ( White , 1987 ). Currently , the narrative approach is a central component of the social construction theory . The narrative is a useful method in solving simplistic twentieth century problems . However , when used alone or by complacent policymakers , the narrative approach is apt to be too narrow in focus and too rigid to accommodate the adaptive nature of wicked problems ( White , 1987 ). When used alone , the narrative tends to define the wicked problem and over time rigidly adheres to the original assumptions , clinging to worldviews too long .
Framing Poverty
In the U . S ., the poverty line is criticized
for being estimated as both too high and too low . This dual criticism conveys the complexity and paradox in combating poverty in the U . S . and makes the current argument about poverty seem a bit hollow ( Rector , 2011 ). In 2011 , the Heritage Foundation claimed that the estimated poverty level was too high . According to the U . S . Census Bureau , 42 percent of those currently defined as being in poverty in the U . S . own their home ( Rector , 2011 ). The average home belonging to those living under poverty has three bedrooms , one and a half baths , and a garage . To the contrary , Ellen Frank ( 2006 ) argues that the poverty level is estimated too low . She cites that families spend far less of their total budget on food than when the measure was established in the 1950s . In addition , the federal poverty statistics do not account for the regional differences of non-food costs such as housing , transportation , and utilities ( Frank , 2006 ).
The official U . S . poverty rate has
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