Introduction
The assumption that poverty is a choice persists in public attitudes and allows policy-makers to absolve themselves of any responsibility for ensuring the well-being of the lower socioeconomic stratum of society. People assume that poverty stems from laziness, substance abuse, welfare dependency, or the general inability to be a productive member of society. This attitude also justifies the current class hierarchy and assures middle-class citizens that their favorable position in society is a result of hard work rather than pure luck. However, it would be more appropriate to describe poverty as a generational curse.
Main body
The blame-the-victim mentality ignores the cyclical and intergenerational nature of socioeconomic disparities due to underlying structural forces. For example, growing up in poorer neighborhoods has adverse psychological effects that negatively impact cognitive ability and educational attainment (Brady, 2019). Parents are unable to afford tutors or enroll their children in after-school programs. Furthermore, the shift of the American economy from industry to the service sector causes mass unemployment because people without sufficient education are unable to meet the standards of professional office culture (Brady, 2019). Lack of financial capital also means a lack of access to proper healthcare, and health issues further inhibit the ability to find employment. Individuals do not have the educational or financial resources to improve their situation and end up stuck at the same poverty level.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the myth of the American Dream and upward class mobility enabled by hard work is still prevalent in our society. It is assumed that anybody with enough motivation can overcome their initial circumstances and attain financial security. However, finding employment in the current service-sector economy largely depends on previous educational opportunities. Children from poorer neighborhoods have no access to additional tutoring or books, and the stress of their surroundings further undermines their cognitive abilities. Even if there is an element of choice in poverty, it is minuscule compared to the overwhelming structural forces that define the limits of these choices.
References
Brady, D. (2019). Theories of the Causes of Poverty.Annual Review of Sociology, 45(1), 155-175. Web.