Poverty Issues

Date: 12/28/2010

Poverty is nothing new to our ever-changing society. It is something that has been facing many families and, unfortunately, will continue to do so for many future generations to come. There has been an ongoing debate as to whose responsibility poverty really is. Some would believe it lies in the hands of society as a whole, while others refute it is the problem of the people in that social class. For those that believe that society should carry the burden of responsibility, there are many government assistance and non-profit organizations in place to do just this. These organizations, both at the public and private level, are available to aid individuals in need of food, clothing, and shelter. Most individuals would even argue that society is not doing enough for its poverty stricken people. However, even in our bad economic times, most of these programs are still providing for those in need. On the contrary, some would argue that it is the individual’s responsibilities to step up to the plate and help themselves. Many believe that relying on welfare and other forms of assistants keeps the individual from lifting themselves up out of poverty. It is in my opinion that, while poverty may not be a lifestyle of choice, the responsibility ultimately lies in the hands of the individuals themselves, not our society as a whole.
It has been shown that children who grow up in households that receive welfare are more likely to continue receiving welfare, as they become adults themselves (Eshleman & Bulcroft, 2006).   These welfare recipients show certain personality traits that can be responsible for keeping them in poverty and on continued public assistance. They have a tendency to blame others for their situation, have a low motivation level, and can suffer from an inferiority complex (Smith, 1989). A lack of motivation would keep individuals like this from seeking out ways of increasing their level of education or to even seek out employment. There...