Okay, and now for the sociological answer. As someone with their Master's degree in sociology, I do not believe in the Horatio Alger myth. The "if you work hard enough, you can succeed" mentality simply isn't true for the majority of the population. There are always a few success stories that keep this myth going, but the cases of this actually occurring are not statistically significant. I liken it to mountain climbing. Let's say you have two people trying to reach the top of a mountain. Person A starts at the bottom. He has no shoes, no gear, no training, and no food. Yes, he could theoretically make it to the top if he works hard enough, but it's going to be an uphill battle (no pun intended) the entire way up. Person B starts in the middle of the mountain. He has the best boots, gear, training, and food that money can buy. He might even have a sherpa with him. Obviously, it's going to be much easier for that guy to reach the top of mountain.
People are born with different life chances. If you are born into poverty, your chances of success are greatly diminished. A child that is always hungry finds it difficult to concentrate in school and at homework. Speaking of schooling - public schools are in a poor poor state. Someone that can afford private schooling is going to have an advantage right there. Mentors are hard to come by in impoverished areas and studies have shown that having a mentor gives you greater life chances. As a child, your psychological well being is also damaged. Imagine watching Saturday cartoons. There is commercial after commercial of cool toys that you will never own. We live in a consumer-based society. All the other kids in school have a PS2 and they make fun of you because you can't afford one.
For more information about where they turn for the money, I suggest looking at Merton's strain theory. It is actually a very easy read and will be able to answer your question in further depth than I have the ability to here. It helps to explain (not excuse) why people turn to crime in order to survive.
And Run7days - I suggest you read more about the culture of poverty. Nothing you said has any basis in fact, only opinion.
2007-01-24 05:48:01
·
answer #1
·
answered by poohb2878 6
·
0⤊
0⤋
It affects people differently...For example some will work very hard as well as learn,because they know its their only way out of that kind of life...They realize its so and they can either weep about it or do something and pick the second one...But others just cant take the pressure of the peers they lose will for anything,have problems with low self esteem and feel worse than others...There for they aren't interested in learning either and they probably will stay like that always...
2007-01-24 03:42:56
·
answer #2
·
answered by Anonymous
·
0⤊
1⤋
Poverty should not get in the way of proper breeding and top quality education. If the child is raced with proper values, right attitude and strong character, I dont think poverty will hinder the child to achieve anything. Poverty should therefore keep the child motivated in acheiving his/her dreams and believing that nothing is impossible because impossibilty is nothing.
2007-01-24 03:59:38
·
answer #3
·
answered by herald_ph 2
·
0⤊
1⤋
It depends on the culture. My grandmother lived in a small village in the mountains of Jamaica. I never considered her poor and I don't think she ever saw herself that way. Children walked around with bare feet in a village that had one good teacher who was the only teacher for the village school. Would you believe that tiny village turned out students that went to law school, became doctors and other professional people? They did. Cultures can be very different and have great impact on child social development and achievement.
2007-01-24 04:05:01
·
answer #4
·
answered by solisue 2
·
0⤊
1⤋
Real poverty is in Africa and such, I think your thinking about Ghetto poverty. The problem is there is no family unit mothers having multiple children by numerous fathers before there even adults. No role models. Drug dealing supporting households. Relying on the government to do everything. That's not poverty it's just choosing to live that way. Generation teaches the next generation. It's sad because no one has to live like that but there are no leaders to stand up and make those communiteis accountable.
2007-01-24 03:34:38
·
answer #5
·
answered by run7days 2
·
0⤊
2⤋
no matter how bad they are treated, they always have the choice to do what is right. You should not be ashamed of being poor, but you should be ashamed if u r ashamed of being poor. poor kids are looked down upon in shcool, but if they are smart, they will know that the kids that make fun of him are jerks, and his friends are good people, not caring about how much money he has. But poverty does make it harder for theu=ir acheivement, not being backed up with the recources. But that doesnt matter. if they try hard enuff, they will prosper
2007-01-24 03:32:04
·
answer #6
·
answered by a cool person 3
·
0⤊
1⤋
It limits his opportunities and shifts the focus of the adults around him to where is our next meal coming from or how can I make ends meet rather than loving attention on the child. When your basic needs are not met, it is difficult to think about anything else.
Peace!
2007-01-24 03:28:29
·
answer #7
·
answered by carole 7
·
0⤊
1⤋
I've seen it go either way. A lot of poor young people resort to gangs and trouble. But a few decide to better their lives. I had the pleasure of working with a young man who lived in the barrio but who was working and putting himself through college. I think it has to due with the nature of their parents, how much guidance and nurturing they get in their earliest years.
2007-01-24 03:34:04
·
answer #8
·
answered by Anonymous
·
0⤊
1⤋
Poverty is an economic subject, in spite of the undeniable fact that it does no longer ought to translate over to psychological and social themes. we've all seen human beings upward thrust above their economic status. Being undesirable does no longer propose an emphasis does no longer must be placed on coaching, studying, comprehend and self-properly worth. those ought to learn at abode by way of mum and dad who include the comparable. i did no longer comprehend it turning out to be up, yet we've been undesirable. i did no longer have the luxuries a number of my buddies had, yet my mum and dad have been steadfast of their objectives of giving us an employer ethical initiating and coaching. Our community college grow to be terrible, so they sacrificed and despatched us to a parochial college for 12 years. And, my mom stayed abode for many of that component. My dad now and lower back worked 3 jobs to assist us. Now, all of us have college stages, are gainfully employed (and partly self-employed on staggering of that) and married w/teenagers. maximum critically, we've been taught to place God first in our lives. undesirable contained in the wallet does no longer ought to characterize undesirable contained in the strategies or spirit. understanding this, we ought to constantly include people who might have in no way found out this lesson. a minimum of disclose them to this type of thinking so they might have a danger.
2016-09-27 22:28:19
·
answer #9
·
answered by Anonymous
·
0⤊
0⤋
i think poverty limits the child's oppurtunties to achieve but then it also makes the child ever more wanting to achieve what they want to achieve
2007-01-24 08:52:36
·
answer #10
·
answered by Amanista 2
·
0⤊
0⤋