Poverty by choice?

Question

I grew up poor because my father was a lazy bum and swore that I would never live like that nor my children. I got an education and made something of myself. I still talk to some of the guys from the old neighborhhood who have never left that lifestyle and all of them able bodied and of sound mind. They just lack ambition and are content living the way they do. What I am trying to say here is that I grow up in poverty and around it. You really cant understand that way of life unless you have lived it and grew up in that kind of enviroment. I feel that a lot of poverty in this country among adults is by choice. Your thoughts?

Timothy- I said a lot NOT all!

Answer 1

There are and have always been bums. Some people just will not work any more than they have to.

Isn't it amazing how many people immigrate to America from other countries and no matter what color or what race or religion they are, no matter that English is a second language, still succeed?

I work with several Chinese engineers who immigrated here when they were teenagers, had to learn English and earned engineering degrees. They now earn very good wages, are married with children, have large homes, new cars, take family vacations every year etc.

Why is it many first generation immigrants are able to achieve the American dream while some native Americans that speak only English are third and fourth generation poor, high school dropout, single parents?

We live and die by the decisions we make.That's why. Some people will overcome any obstacle to get to their goal others will let any obstacle stop them.

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Answer 2

It is definitely by choice. There are many wealthy people who made themselves wealthy who had struggles earlier on with money. I believe that most Americans just cannot learn how to manage their money correctly which is what leads them to poverty. Most people seem to think they NEED everything now when most things are basically just a want. They want to be the first person to get the newer technology even if they cannot afford it. There have been lots and lots of lottery winners who just end up being broke again because of not knowing how to manage money correctly. If they would just invest some time into reading some books that can help them manage their money better they could remain wealthy. Robert Kiyosaki has some great books to read to learn how to manage your money better. One good book I have read by him is "Rich Dad, Poor Dad." A few other books that are great to read about becoming successful is "Think & Grow Rich" and "The Master-Key to Riches" both by Napolean Hill. As I have heard it said, "the difference between a Millionaire and a ditch digger is the way they think." Thinking is what makes a person either wealthy or it leads them to poverty. Here are a few things that people could do to help them stay away from poverty: Do not use credit cards or if you do use them make sure you only charge what you can pay back at the end of that month. And make sure the credit card company doesn't charge you interest as long as you pay off whatever you charged for that month. Also, make sure the company doesn't charge you annually for their service. If you cannot pay cash for a new car then why not buy a used car you can pay cash for? Think of the extra thousands of dollars people spend buying a brand new car when they make monthly payments. The same goes for buying a place to live as well. If you buy a house and pay monthly payments, you are going to pay 2 - 3 times or more what the house would normally cost if you paid for it all at once. Spending money on things that do not help our bodies and is just a bad habit for us leads to poverty as well. Things like drinking and smoking cigarettes, etc.

Answer 3

Yes and no. The question is - Is conditioning "choice", necessarily?

If you are constantly exposed to a certain type of living, not only do you grow comfortable with it, but you tend to justify it to yourself, eventually believing that something better/different simply is not attainable. A live of poverty tends to be marked by chronic poor judgment, not conscious decisions to be lazy or stupid.

That being said, a man (or woman) is solely responsible for his lot in life. It's 10% what happens to you and 90% how you choose to deal with it. All I'm saying is that it's not nearly as black and white as some people are painting it. Saying most poor people are lazy is like saying that most rich people work hard. I know lots of rich people who've worked hard, yes...but I know nearly as many more who got lucky.

Answer 4

What you state is fact and not fiction. Back in the late 60's and early 70's, I lived my life as a hippie and hated people who worked and made money. My whole life revolved around 'freedom' and 'sharing'. I used to wonder to myself, "Why can't everyone be like this?" Free, no problems, no worries. La-la land was great.

Thank goodness for parents who knew enough to throw me out on my butt and make me fend for myself! That was when reality hit and the gradual process of growing up and making something of myself began for me. Mom and dad did the right thing and frankly, I was much too proud to ask them for help. My parents are/were a middle income family and not dirt poor, but far from being wealthy. Everything that I did from the time I was bounced out, was created as a result of growing up and seeing the world for what it is.

The opportunities are there for most of us and it's a matter of taking advantage of them. :)

Answer 5

They say its a vicious cycle, your parents are lazy hense you grow up thinking thats the way to be. Sometime people use their enviroment as a crutch to think thats they way that they should be and thats the way it will always be. Too many people in this country think they are "poor" living in Govt housing or getting food stamps, go to a 3rd world country, and see what poor really is. Have food, a roof over your head and a car, but no job doesnt make you poor it makes you lazy!!! (not refering to you of course, I am just venting!!!) but KUDOS for you making a change in your life!!! I hope you are an example to someone in your old neighborhood!!!

Answer 6

By choice if you have no courage and do not posses any capability in growing out those kind of life. You are lucky enough if you have an ability in doing what you desire in order to get out of poverty. You have to have courage, faith in God an ambition.
If you don't have any of these, I know you will get stuck or whoever born from these situation. To rise from the ground is easy given the chance and it's one's willingness.

Answer 7

how can you grow up in an area like that... and pay no attention to what is going on there?

as you clearly did?

did you see no reasons for what people did? did you not ever pay attention to anything outside your own life?

or was EVERYONE else but you (and maybe what, 2 other kids that made it out) lazy?

if they all are lazy... what's so wrong with America that so many are so lazy?

I think your VASTLY glazing over a HUGE subject in an EXTREMELY naive way...

just putting a "lazy" tag on it so you don't have to think about it...

in fact, your the only lazy one I see here...

it's VERY hard to belive your story... since you clearly picked up NOTHING from your experience that you claim to have had?

so how can someone who doesn't pay attention thrive in such an environment? One doesn't...

You're pretty much calling every poor person lazy... and I'm not poor anymore... but growing up there, seeing people work hard everyday... I think your a joke...

Answer 8

I don't think people choose poverty, I think they lack belief in themselves they have given up, I know some people who work very hard but are still poor. And then there are those with drug probelms, mental probelms...etc.... And there are those who just are into materialism. I mean really how big a house do you really need. I'm not poor or rich. But the greedy materialistic tightwads who have to have the latest and greatest are pathetic.

Answer 9

Agreed 100% my dad and mom worked but we still had it ruff but not as bad as the ones who chose not to do any better
Good for you, every generation usally does better than the one before except in those cases

Answer 10

You are right. My brother-in-law came from a family of 9 children, and his family was very low income as his mother had had a stroke after the youngest boy was 2 years old. His father was never gainfully employed. He was the only one who went to college after getting out of the navy, and got his masters in business. He stayed in the naval reserves and retired a commissoned officer. The other boys didn't do anything like that and was always jealous of him and would make fun of him. But whenever they needed money, they would always ask him for a loan never to repay it.

As for the remark about the ones living under the bridges who are homeless? They are for the majority sex offenders who are shunned by anyplace they try to live. Did they make the choice to be this way. In a sense yes they did, as they chose to break the law.