Does poverty depend on education, or education depend on poverty?

Question

What are people's opinion on this issue? Does poverty cause lack of education, or lack of education cause poverty? They're both true, but which is truer?

Answer 1

Lack of education causes poverty!! Even poor people can get scholarships with a little willpower. Now to say poverty can cause a lack of willpower...I don't know. But you are right they both go hand in hand. A vicious circle.

Answer 2

I think a lack of education would cause poverty. Poverty wouldn't necessarily cause lack of education. Elementary school, middle school and high school are provided for every child no matter where they live or what their household's income is. All of us (taxpayers) provide free education for everyone else so that everyone else doesn't have a lack of education. It's up to the rich parents and poor parents to force or enforce this education upon their children. If the parents don't enforce the child to learn, the child is bound to poverty. Not much more the government or any of us can do. We all provide the free part, it's up to the parents and children to do their parts. Some of us even provide for free education past high school in terms of scholarships. A child from a poor family can one day make their own rich family if they just do the job that society expects of them... study hard in school while they're in school. I know several teachers and from the conversations I've had with them, there's not much the government can do to reform education. No amount of additional funding is going to fix the fact that parents do not force their children to do their homework and learn. I don't think the country has a school problem, we have dysfunctional family problems. Kids have too many toys, gadgets, comforts, video games, and distractions that distract them from their real role as children and that is to learn before it's too late and they're too old.

Answer 3

They are both true. In the United States I think poverty is more caused by lack of education. Children growing up in poverty have opportunities if they choose to take them. With Pell Grans, Student Loans and Scholarships, as well as many state programs (our state will pay for a 2 year college degree for any high school student graduating with a C average or better), there are many options for our youth to continue their education. These options have increased in the recent years.

However, for those who choose not to get a college education, the jobs that used to provide reasonable wages for their employment are being outsourced or being taken over by machines and computers. The chance for success without a college degree is decreasing.

These reflections apply to the United States. Third World countries have a completely different economy and their own unique issues that lead to continued poverty.

Answer 4

I think addictions leads to poverty more than poverty leading to addiction. As far as you question: I think poverty breads ignorance more than ignorance breads poverty. But I think a upper-middle class drop out is more likely to end up in poverty than a college graduate is to stay in poverty.

It is hard to say because most poor people are surrounded by uneducated people, while most upper-middle class people are surrounded by educated individuals. This teaches people attitudes about schooling, life, and responsibility.

I went to an upper-middle class high school. I moved to the inner city as a young adult and the biggest difference I notice in the people raised there was their complete lack of belief in an sort of reading. Where I grew up if you asked an adult a question they gave you a short answer and told you were the library was. In the inner city the adults would say something like 'it is the man that holds you down and their ain't nothing you can do about it.' Books just were not "cool." This difference, is to me, the biggest cause for people staying were they are--the older generation passing down paranoid ignorance to the next. In the middle class areas even the screw ups know how to use the library.

Answer 5

True to both... but I am inclined to believe poverty can cause a lack of education. Growing up in a big family, not wealthy by any means, I watched my brothers drop out of school to work on the family farm, or just to get jobs somewhere. I think that is still true today, only the child labor laws keep children from getting jobs at a young age.... therefor, they just drop school all together and turn to drugs and crime at an early age. Where money comes into play, I see kids sticking with school because their parents are able to supply them with the things they need to continue education throughout high school and into college. It costs a lot of money just to send a child to Jr. high and High school... college is a whole new ball game with a bigger ball (so to speak)... if there is no money or a grant or scholarship is not available, it is hardly feasible to continue education beyond high school. I myself, worked my way through college but also had t he help of a pel grant. I still had to pay back part of that, but I did this after I was out of high school and out on my own. My Mom didn't have to fill out those grueling financial papers.... ugg.. so yes, poverty plays a huge part in lack of education. Now, a person without education is more apt to work at a job that is more low paying than education required jobs... but not all people who hold these types of jobs are uneducated, they are just satisfied to work and make a living....

Answer 6

you're right when you say that they are both true....but in my opinion poverty causes a lack of education is more true. If you cant afford to educate yourself then in most cases you're just not educated. A lack of education doesn't necessarily cause poverty...its complicated. good question!

Answer 7

I believe that a lack of education causes poverty. What is the saying about teaching a man to fish as opposed to something, well if an individual or individuals are educated, then they have the tools to problem solve and those problem solving tools are also a means of survival and the forethought to continue to strive to improve ones survival as opposed to just accepting.

Answer 8

I think it is more true that lack of education causes poverty. Then you have created a vicious circle. What came first the chicken or the egg? It doesn't mater much because it just keeps repeating.