Poverty has always been a concern for sociological sciences. While rarely the center of studies itself, it has frequently been a factor in evaluating the structure of society and its economic state. Sociologist Emile Durkheim saw poverty as a necessary condition of a functioning society. Karl Marx observed the division between the impoverished laborers, who only had their labor to offer, and the capitalists, who owned productions and used the workers to raise profit. These thoughts are still applicable to the modern society, although the issue of poverty has become even more complicated (Shildrick, Tracy, and Jessica Rucell par. 15-16).
Sociology provides several definitions of poverty, based on what people are deprived of. If it is taken as a material concept, then poverty is defined through a lack of goods and services, such as accommodation, education, clothing or food. Another way to approach poverty is as an economic situation, defined by sub-par standards of living or through inequality, where a person is disadvantaged in comparison with others. When interpreted through social circumstances, being poor means being part of an impoverished social class or being dependent on outside help to receive the goods and services required for comfortable living (Spicker 230-38).
It has been estimated that nowadays approximately 14 percent of the American population live in poverty. It affects several groups, studying which can provide insight into the causes of the problem. In 2014, studies showed that one-third of single-parent families, where the husband was absent, were below the poverty threshold. With single-father families, the percentage was down to 16%, and with full families, it constituted only 6%. Poverty can also be connected with race and ethnicity, as census studies show that around one-fourth of all American Hispanic persons and African-Americans live in poverty. The number is even higher among Native Americans: 28%. Similar numbers apply to people with disabilities and children (“Poverty Facts” par. 5-17; Eichelberger par.1-10).
There are several myths about poverty that are deeply seated in the minds of Americans. For example, many American’s believe that education is the ultimate solution to poverty, something that is not supported by statistics. The numbers show that class has a much stronger effect on the person’s economic status. Being poor is often associated with drug use, although recent studies show that there is little to no difference in drug use of population above and below the poverty line, with some statistics showing smaller numbers in the poorer citizens. Another myth is single parenthood causing poverty, which is reverse, with financial insecurity scaring people away from marriage. Also, there exists the idea that even the poor are actually well-off in America, which is wrong, since, among wealthy countries, US ranks at the bottom on how well it takes care of its poor (Aleem par.6-12).
It is challenging to pinpoint the actual and not mythological reasons for the presence of poverty in America. The possible reasons can roughly be divided into those that blame the poor, and those that analyze the conditions the underclass lives in. The former can be summed up as a “culture of poverty”, which suggests that the poor see their situation as unsolvable and hopeless. The latter theory deals with the underclass unable to find jobs due to the exodus of the middle class from cities. It is theorized that the people see social welfare as a better alternative to doing hard labor in return for the degradingly small minimum wage. (“Causes and Effects of Poverty” 2-4)
Ultimately, it is as hard to find a solution to the problem, as it is to pinpoint its causes. The fact that the poor can be quite eager to work suggests the creation of new jobs as an option, or at least creating conditions when hiring the labor locally is more profitable for the employer than hiring immigrants. Other possible solutions include increasing the minimum wage and making amends towards guaranteeing work security.
Works Cited
Aleem, Zeeshan. “7 Harmful Myths We Need to Stop Telling About Poverty.”Policy.Mic. n.p., 2015. Web.
“Causes and Effects of Poverty.”CliffsNotes. n.p., n.d. Web.
Eichelberger, Erika. “10 Poverty Myths, Busted.”Mother Jones. n.p., 2014. Web.
“Poverty Facts.” Poverty USA. n.p., n.d. Web.
Shildrick, Tracy, and Jessica Rucell. “Sociological Perspectives on Poverty.” Josheph Rowntree Foundation. n.p., 2015. Web.
Spicker, Paul. “Definitions of Poverty: Twelve Clusters of Meaning.” Poverty: An International Glossary. By Sonia Alverez Leguizamon, Paul Spicker and David Gordon. 2nd ed. London: Zed, 2007. 229-42. Print.