How have outside influences altered the traditional lifestyle of poor people?

Answer 1

I do not know about poor people outside of Mexico.
In Mexico, there are arid and desolate places where the indigenous tribes have over-saturated the economic possibilities. This condition es a great motivation for them to leave. Fortunately they have a great opportunity working the fields of North America and parts of Baja California. They are autonomous tribes in that they have their own voluntary will and language. Now with the increased income available they enjoy the privileges and benefits that accompany increased incomes anywhere in the world, In northern U.S. the culture is benefiting in ways that include any person who works in the U.S. Autos, cases, education for their children and just about everything they never could or would get if they had stayed in their own land. Amongst these is also the encounter of their traditional beliefs with those of modern times. Now they find some of their own culture such as traditional medicine in "botanas" and lots of restaraunts specializing in their type of food. I have seen their tipical food restaraunts packed and lines waiting on the weekends. During the week it is back to the fields or elsewhere and at times McDonalds or KFC. Their lifestyle has evolved due to the outside influences to their old traditional ways.

Answer 2

I consider TV the outside influence that makes people think we all should live as those celebrities live, or at least those in the shows we watch. If we cannot live in that lifestyle we can imagine it perhaps! The other influence is driving to other places and people then want to live better, etc.

The traditional lives would be that of our parents and grandparents, and beyond. They did not do much driving, and TV was a new thing and everyone did not have one.

Answer 3

My personal opinion is that the biggest influence on the lifestyle of "poor" people (it's hard to define poor, really) is our society. Our culture teaches excess (and that is why some people are "poor") along with an strong emphasis on perfection. If I were extremely poor I would hide that fact because I believe that people look down upon others that are poor. I am not rich by a long shot, a very long shot, not having enough money sucks but if I had next to nothing I would feel ashamed and almost let down because society taught me how to live and put me down the road that led to poverty. Iunno hope that helped some.