Introduction
The issue of poverty continues to bother millions of people across the globe, including many neighborhoods in the United States. People recognize their challenges, take improvement steps, and live within their limits. Some individuals share their deep discontent with social inequality and cannot deal with poverty and accompanying factors like homelessness, a lack of education, and mental health problems. These themes are commonly described in modern literature, and the memoir Hillbilly Elegy by J. D. Vance is chosen for analysis in this paper. Relying on his personal experience and family history, Vance raises interesting topics in his book with honest and sometimes provocative perspectives.
This class discussed a list of themes, including homelessness, employment, poor education, and fragile interpersonal connections, and poverty remains its core reason. Vance’s book and class content intertwine in multiple ways, proving the inevitability of poverty’s negative impact on the quality of human life. Hillbilly Elegy contributes to a better understanding of poverty that can challenge people in unique environments and proves that personal attitudes are critical in accepting the truth about available options and opportunities.
Major Lessons from the Book
America is one of the richest nations in terms of cultures and traditions, and Hillbilly Elegy closely looks at how Appalachian values spread in Ohio State. Each chapter in the book clearly evaluates people’s attempts to pursue the American Dream. Although Vance (2016) was concerned about high expectations for the Appalachians, his grandparents did their best to strengthen his “self-confidence and the right opportunities to get a fair shot at the American Dream” (p. 25).
The United States is never simple or kind to everyone, but if a person is ready to act and prove their worth in this world, many ways and opportunities can be discovered. The only rules to be followed are not to lose hope, rely on family if possible, and never depend on people. Vance (2016) was lucky to have Mamaw and Papaw, who taught him how to live “in the best and greatest country on earth” (p. 150). Thus, it is necessary to remember that even if there is trouble, America will allow another good choice soon.
Poverty
Addressing the course content, it is possible to define poverty as one of the major causes of people’s troubles, mental health problems, employment failures, and homelessness. Despite a common attempt to create good living conditions, some people cannot escape the poverty trap (“People for Jobs”). At the same time, people are responsible for their lives; if they fail to change something, no one can help them. Thus, Vance (2016) explains poverty as a kind of tradition for some communities on the one hand and as a plague for most Appalachian families.
In addition, the author reminds readers that poverty should not be treated only as a condition when people lack enough financial resources for living. Vance (2016) focuses on the differences between material, emotional, and spiritual poverty. People might not have enough money to meet all their needs, but it is not a reason to give up. Family support, personal strengths and ambitions, and faith in God are the best weapons against poverty.
Homelessness
Sometimes, people face a moment when they can no longer have a home, believing the world starts crashing around them. The challenge of homelessness is not new for many Americans, and many attempts are constantly made to reduce its rates in society. In the class content, it was mentioned that homelessness may be the price that people should pay if they are not able to function properly in the current economy (Usborne, 2018). It means that the absence of a home is not only a social burden but also an individual failure to use available resources and opportunities.
Vance (2016) finds a solution to this misunderstanding and recommends distinguishing “my address” from “my home” (p. 15). The person’s address could be changed or even absent because it is where people spend most of their time. Home is more than a physical place but a way of life where the kindest memories and emotions are stored. For Vance, it was his grandparent’s house, full of hillbilly traditions, support, and understanding. Thus, the book proves that homelessness can be managed, depending on personal attitudes and history.
Education
Access to education is another important problem many native Americans or immigrants face nowadays. During the course, many sources describe the challenge of minimal educational opportunities for people to create a solid background for serving the country (“People for Jobs”). Appropriate education is more than just the presence of schools and other academic facilities where children obtain knowledge and learn how to develop their skills. The success of education depends on how well communities are equipped with resources and people who develop the right attitudes.
In his book, Vance underlines the importance of college education for individuals who want to find good jobs and earn a living independently. However, he also notices that “there was no sense that failing to achieve higher education would bring shame or any other consequences” (Vance, 2016, p. 49). If a person does not work with his/her hands, there are many careers to consider and move on with available options. Therefore, it is correct to think that education helps open various career-related goals, but it is not the only key for similar purposes.
Mental Health
Finally, when people experience the negative impacts of poverty, homelessness, and poor education, it is hard to predict mental health risks, affecting their emotional, behavioral, and physical well-being. The course content reveals the truth of mental health problems and the inability to escape the recurring circle of poverty (“People for Jobs”). Once a child does not get enough knowledge, he/she cannot recognize and prevent mental threats.
When a family is poor or homeless, parents are not able to provide their children with good educational opportunities. Poorly educated and homeless individuals are at high risk of mental health disorders, addiction, and suicidal ideation (Yoshikawa et al., 2012). Vance (2016) specifies the impact of family on children’s well-being because shouting and conflicts “damage a kid’s sense of security” and lead to the emergence of new “mental health and behavioral issues” (p. 180). Interpersonal relationships and human development are interconnected in many aspects, and if there is a chance to predict damage, it should be used to create some guarantees for a better future.
Conclusion
Reading memoirs is usually characterized by a bunch of emotions, including excitement, admiration, indignation, and concern about the reality the author decides to present. Even after closing the book, it is hard to understand what attitudes Hillbilly Elegy shapes. On the one hand, Vance presents a number of provocative elements of Appalachian life and proves that it is possible to achieve success by making the right choices and family-related decisions. On the other hand, the book shows how difficult human life can be due to the challenges of poverty, homelessness, poor education, and mental health issues.
The class content and true stories can be better understood by applying Vance’s ideas and arguments. The United States has already inspired many people with its American Dream concept, and Vance’s experience shared in his memoir is excellent proof of its ambiguity. Instead of blindly believing in free and fair opportunities for each individual, it is high time to examine the environment and understand that many things must be repaired to create a better world.
References
“People for Jobs”
Usborne, W. (2018). Understanding public attitudes and perceptions towards homelessness: A requisite frontier to reduce homelessness[Master’s thesis, University of the Fraser Valley]. Web.
Vance, J. D. (2016). Hillbilly elegy: A memoir of a family and culture in crisis. Harper Collins.
Yoshikawa, H., Aber, J. L., & Beardslee, W. R. (2012). The effects of poverty on the mental, emotional, and behavioral health of children and youth: Implications for prevention. American Psychologist, 67(4), 272-284. Web.
