are poor people really all that worse off than those with money?

Question

ok, so think of it this way: i kno that people who r really poor, with nothing to their name are worse off every day of their life, but on the other hand, isn't it those kind of people who will get the drive to pursue anything because they dont have anything else? its their life, and they want to make it better, so they will use everything theyve got to do so. people who have something to fall back on, like us who live comfortably, sure we might live in luxary everyday, but when we pursue something and it gets hard, we can always just give up because we have something to fall back on. do you think those people who have less have a better chance of making themselves into something than us people who already have something?

a valid point has been raised here, which is that i am talking about people who have enough to get by, not those who are lying in the streets with a collecting tin. those people are often faced with such misery that thoughts of a better life just dont compute. agony in life makes it impossible to see hope, as is demonstrated by the first response

Answer 1

I think that those who are most content are the ones who have stopped defining their 'success' or 'failure' in life by material possessions -- regardless of how much money they have.

As long as one is able to maintain adequate shelter, nutrition, health care and transportation, everything else is a luxury. Once we learn to count those blessings, no matter how tiny, we come closer to happiness.

As I read your question, one line came to mind: "Freedom's just another word for nothing left to lose" -- Janis Joplin. So to have nothing does allow a person a world of opportunities, but that does not equal happiness.

So I feel that those who are most happy are the people who have enough to make ends meet and and not feel pressured to live like a rock star. I guess this would mostly be the lower middle class -- one step above the working poor.

I have lived as a single parent on unemployment with no health insurance for my son or myself, and ultimately had to file bankruptcy -- that was a very stressful time of life. Now I have a good job and am earning more than ever before, but I am not so quick to spend it. In fact, I have just chosen to cut back to working 4 instead of 5 days a week, which I estimate will reduce my gross income by about $6,000 a year. But the time to take care of my son and my own health is far more valuable to me.

Answer 2

I think the money itself is the real issue here. People "say" you don't need money to be happy, but the fact is you CANNOT survive or do anything without money unless you happen to live in a safe or rural area where it is actually possible to get a job and walk places and connect with people without feeling afraid to trust anyone, and there are actually people to meet and things to do within walking distance of where you live. In my case I am 21 and in college and just don't spend any money at all because I can't find a job and would have no way to get to it since I can't drive and do not have a car, and even if I could it would cost MONEY for gas. It is nearly 10 miles driving up the road from here before you see ANY buildings, and even then it is just houses, banks, and other things no opne can afford. Just about everyone at this college is black and there is no cable tv in the dorms, and I really did not want to go here because I want to meet people of all different races, but this was the cheapest 4 year option for me. And this is proclaimed as the richest majority black county in the USA and it seems like everyone else is rich and has money, and it really pisses me off because here I am poor while everyone probably assumes that I have money and can just do anything like everyone else but I CAN'T. I have never even been on a trip during my breaks.

Answer 3

Poor little guy, batted back and forth like a shuttlecock. He's not an inanimate object to be "shared." I'd scream, too. You need family counseling and to try coming up with a more stable arrangement. One of you is likely going to have to be the adult and make some measure of sacrifice for your little one's well-being. I don't know why you think your mom is his "bff" when it sounds like it's your mother that he's afraid of. Are you sure you know what's going on when you're not there?

Answer 4

As a "poor" person, I would say yes. At least rich people don't have to worry about money to buy groceries and are also in every day agony. It beats being miserable and poor.

Answer 5

I have found that the majority of poor are nicer, polite, kinder, and an all round good person. They are usually good workers also. I think they are a happier group of people. More appreciative of life. Yes, they usually try to succeed also. I really think they are luckier that the ultra-rich man. My opinion

Answer 6

absolutely, you raise a valid point. That is why people that excel (not just succeed) in life had just been through a big failure. Because after you've failed miserably, you have nothing to lose, you just give it your all. Pull out all the stops and risk big

Answer 7

Depends on how poor. If they lack the necessities of life then no fanciful thoughts will fill their stomachs. Eat first, talk later.

On the other hand, I like to hire people who NEED to succeed. They rarely fail.

Answer 8

I don't think that money defines who we are or makes us happy. It's hard to be happy, though, when you're constantly struggling. If you have just enough money to relax and live life you are set... and I don't mean being rich or being able to buy whatever you want.

Answer 9

depends some people have nothing cause they choose to live that way making choices that amount to nothing. . others having nothing inspires them to do for themselves and make better choices that amount to something. . .

Answer 10

money doesn't buy happiness