‘Culture of poverty’ begins at home - The Collegian

‘Culture of poverty’ begins at home - The Collegian

‘Culture of poverty’ begins at home

Posted By Anna Jacobsen On Oct 22, 2010 @ 12:02 am In Opinion,Top Opinion Story | No Comments

Learning about issues that affect our society is one of the most important aspects of the college experience.
This semester I’m taking a class about inequality in America, where my classmates and I discuss issues relating to poverty and inequality.
Talking about these issues has heightened my sensitivity to news on the topic. When I saw the New York Times article on experts considering the effect of culture on poverty and inequality, my curiosity was piqued.
Back in 1965, social scientists began talking about a “culture of poverty.” It’s a concept that considers attitudes, behaviors and dysfunctional families as part of the explanation for a self-perpetuating system of poverty.
This concept fell out of style, but according to the New York Times, social scientists have brought “culture of poverty” back into their vocabulary.
Solutions to cyclical poverty are vast, and many social scientists recommend increased government funding for programs that assist the poor. These programs are important.
But when poverty, as some suggest, is part of a culture, the solution lies at a level deeper than mere funding and social programs.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, families with unmarried parents make up 71.2 percent of families living in poverty. Families with married parents make up 26.8 percent.
The correlation is clear—when parents are married, their family is less likely to be part of the culture of poverty.
Many politicize the issue, recommending a block of Obama’s “marriage penalty” in the tax code or eliminating elements of welfare programs that discourage marriage.
These ideas may help, but they aren’t a substitute for what those in a culture of poverty lack—real life examples of healthy families and marriages.
Mentorship programs both for kids and families are key. Local programs like the Fresno / Madera Healthy Marriage Coalition and Every Neighborhood Partnership fill this role in the Fresno area.
If the government wants to fight a culture of poverty through funding, some of that funding should go to programs such as these.