Why do low class people always have to have dogs?

Question

How come most poor and/or low class people can't pay their fair way, or feed themselves and their numerous brats, yet they ALL will own numerous 100lb+ monsters?

What is it about being poor or low-class that dictates you must have a huge, usually agressive dog?

It's cool to disagree with me, but I challange anyone who does so to go down to the ghetto and take a look.

Thoughts?

Answer 1

I think there are several issues that come into play. First of all, low-income families often live in areas with elevated crime levels and large aggressive dogs provide a degree of protection and deter criminals.

Secondly, there have been studies substantiating that low-income families have different values than high-income families. For example, people in the highest tax brackets are more likely to classify love as a conditional emotion (i.e. I don't love my brother anymore because he ripped me off) whereas low-income families place a higher value on relationships. A dog in this setting is valued because dogs are animals with which a meaningful and lasting relationship can be built.

Finally, survival skills are always valued in society. In high society one's ability to network, think on their feet and make bold financial moves is admired because it shows an ability to survive in the white collar jungle. A person from a low income neighborhood might be impressed that their uncle won the State arm wrestling championship, whereas a more affluent person might place greater value on the fact that their neighbor's child won the State spelling bee. A strong, aggressive dog -- given the proper mindset -- is an animal to be respected and awed. In the absence of material objects with which to "show off" to the locals, owning the strongest, meanest dog is a powerful social statement.

Answer 2

Because, you are much less likely to think "Hey that looks like a pretty easy house to rob" when a huge dog is barking at your face. They feed the dog, the dog offers them protection. Plus, the dog is still a pet. A huge pet, but its a pet.

Now, someone answer this question to me: when a rich kid buys an iPod, and two months later a new one comes out, why do they "NEED IT!"? Because most of the time, the kids rolling around on the floor having a fit because they didnt get that toy usually walks outside into a BMW.

I just want to put the general concept of that up there, just in case someone ran in this thread feeling high and mighty.

Answer 3

This is a very good question. I think 1 good answer might be, puppies are free and almost everything else a poor kid wants cost. Yea, it costs to feed a dog but the dog can live a few days without the bread crumbs. Another good answer might be that some dogs make very good friends for lonely people. Have you never been lonely yet not been able for some reason or the other to be around people? Dogs are great company. Actually better than most people I have met.

Answer 4

It's quite obvious when you look at it really. I'd prefer using the term low class rather than poor, as both descrive 2 different sets of peoples. Low class versus poor takes on a cultural connotation. I can be rich, yet still low class. Anyway, if you will notice all the dogs are as you say, massive beasts, and the reason for this is because these poor canine souls are misappropriately used for dog fighting, in order to a) pass time b) source betting c) as a 'meeting place' for drug dealers and other illcit deals such as weapons trade. It is a known fact that the state police try to track down these fighting rings since they have a bigger chance of meeting the toughies there doing much more than watching the horrendous torture fight. To the low class people not in the drug trade, they use the dogs for cheap forms of entertainment, still of course, in dog fighting.

Answer 5

Are you implying that it is only low class people who have large dogs? I am a scientist and I own a large dog, but I certainly don`t think that makes me low class ! I have a rottweiler called Sapphire, she is large and soppy and finds the warmest place to sit in the winter and the coolest in the summer. She is intelligent and lovable and could quite possibly lick you to death, she does not know how to be aggressive, she is well trained and obedient.
Thank you but I don`t think I want to take up your`ghetto` challenge, I will take your word for it. Please do not think that everyone who has a large dog allows it to be aggressive or run unruly on other peoples` property, or attack people. Most of we dog owners are responsible and we love our animals and treat them with love and kindness, and then they truly are a mans` best friend.

Answer 6

Well, as you said they usually live in poor or "ghetto" areas. They are poor and so they don't have a security system, yet are usually at a great risk of being robbed. Massive, mean dogs are great guard dogs and keep their house safe. Also, having mean dogs gives "ghetto" people a higher status- it's cool to be known as having the meanest and biggest dog in the neighborhood.

Answer 7

For protection, I imagine. Dangerous areas, dangerous times. "High class" people own big dogs too, but maybe for different reasons. The "numerous brats" part is a shot below the belt and confuses your question.

Answer 8

because, the poor knows how life can be miserable and had experienced not to eat 3 times a day, the dogs lives were worse, and because the poor understand how it is to be alone when in times of need, they adopt dogs because they can see them(dogs) as their own selves they loved them for they are the most caring and can protect them from any harm and it is trough dogs where they can escape the harsh reality.

WELL AT LEAST THE DOGS ARE BETTER FOR THEY ARE HELPING THE POOREST OF THE POOR THAN THEIR FELLOW HUMANS THAT DO NOT EVEN LOOK AT THEM

Answer 9

I think it's like the same prejudiced view that leads people to believe that low-class or poor people have unruly children. I don't believe it's the rule. But I definately see your point. I live in a lower income neighborhood and the dogs and children are all well behaved. I challenge you to go to suburbia and see how rich or 'high-class' people treat their children and dogs behind closed doors....

Answer 10

Let's just say I disagree, you have not one ounce of a clue of what you speak of. If you don't like people having these dogs that you mentioned, try staying away from the places where they reside. Novel idea....

Thanks for the 2 points and that's about all you're getting from me.