Analyzing Herbert Gans 'The Uses Of Poverty'

Analyzing The Uses of Poverty In The Uses of Poverty, written by Herbert Gans, he identifies thirteen hidden functions of poverty in society. They range from cultural to political reasons, and all share a determining factor in how the poor are seen and treated in our society. One of his given functions is that the "existence of poverty insures that the society's 'dirty work' will be done." With people living in poverty, people who need to accept any job in order to sustain themselves, low paying jobs such as fast food workers or restaurant servers are easily filled. Less disenable jobs such as waste disposal can also be filled by people living in poverty. Another function of poverty that is given by Herbert Gans is that people living in poverty will "buy goods others do not want, thus prolonging the economic usefulness of such goods." (Gans 2) Consignment shops such as Good Will or other second hand stores accept donations in the form of clothing, books, shoes, and other household items. The used items are sold at cheaper prices when they otherwise would have been thrown away. Food can also be sold like this, prolonging its use. Cans that are dented or vegetables that are deemed unfit to sell can be sold in smaller shops at a cheaper price and be bought primarily by those …show more content…
However by paying these workers decent wages or building automated machinery to do this work, these jobs can be eliminated. (Gans 3) We don't have to rely on the poor to run the aspects of our society that most would shy away from. We can find other ways, pay people accordingly, take advantage of the future that we are being presented with. Gans does, however, point out that the alternative function of increasing wages would drive up the prices of certain goods, which many citizens would not agree with. (Gans 3) However, it would be an alternative function to the functions of