The difference of income distribution between the poverty stricken and the rich rises in the United States. Whether through taxes or people receiving welfare, poverty directly affects everyone. The United States shelters millions of people who are unable to lift themselves above a poverty line. This line defines poverty as lower income groups living without any means of subsistence. However, this gauge also examines and counts poverty as individuals with a lower standard of living relative to their surroundings. Two main explanations, rational actor theory and structured socialization theory, arise to explain why certain individuals and families are fixated beneath the poverty line. While rational actor theory provides a reasonable explanation
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Rational actor theory effectively demonstrates how some of the poor fail to use basic institutions that middle and upper classes praise. The values some poverty stricken members hold differ in practice with higher-class values. Oscar Lewis (1966) provides evidence supporting how some initially poor groups, like the Jews, were able to amass wealth by placing higher values on literacy and voluntary organizations. However, this theory fails to take into consideration that poorer individuals may understand the values of the wealthy yet their situation will remain unchanged by possessing these values. As Liebow (1967) illustrates men standing on a corner see the reality that their hard labor, an aspect revered by the wealthy, will not change their economic position. Structured socialization theory understands this perplexity and further progresses the assumption stating that factors such as negative judgments exist outside an individual’s control. Values of the middle class not helping the poor as well as unequal treatment toward the poor are two distinct strengths that reinforce structured socialization theory. Despite its strengths, a flaw in this theory arises from the belief that unequal treatment can be seen as justifiable. In the example of retail businesses, poorer employees who were pressured to steal were …show more content…
The social problem evolves into a morality issue about why people should help aid the poor. Rather than placing the blame on the individual for poverty, structured socialization theory rightly establishes the idea that society undermines the poor. Society’s influence is discernable through an employer’s negative perceptions or stereotypes toward poor individuals. By not granting individuals in poverty job opportunities, employers diminish the chances for some to rise above the poverty line. The guidelines and theoretical frameworks for each argument are imperative to understand poverty. Each piece of a theory adds a new layer. Tackling the problem of poverty then requires a multifaceted approach with no single solution. This approach begins with the poor not being held in contempt. The negative connotation associated with poverty instead must be changed to sentiments of empathy and compassion. A just country would help the people who face financial struggles everyday. Instead of perceived equality, justice in the form of increased welfare, increased taxes on the rich, and progressive punishments must be distributed to give the poor a fighting chance. Something as small as a traffic ticket makes a huge difference in one man’s pocket while going unnoticed in another’s
Rational actor theory effectively demonstrates how some of the poor fail to use basic institutions that middle and upper classes praise. The values some poverty stricken members hold differ in practice with higher-class values. Oscar Lewis (1966) provides evidence supporting how some initially poor groups, like the Jews, were able to amass wealth by placing higher values on literacy and voluntary organizations. However, this theory fails to take into consideration that poorer individuals may understand the values of the wealthy yet their situation will remain unchanged by possessing these values. As Liebow (1967) illustrates men standing on a corner see the reality that their hard labor, an aspect revered by the wealthy, will not change their economic position. Structured socialization theory understands this perplexity and further progresses the assumption stating that factors such as negative judgments exist outside an individual’s control. Values of the middle class not helping the poor as well as unequal treatment toward the poor are two distinct strengths that reinforce structured socialization theory. Despite its strengths, a flaw in this theory arises from the belief that unequal treatment can be seen as justifiable. In the example of retail businesses, poorer employees who were pressured to steal were …show more content…
The social problem evolves into a morality issue about why people should help aid the poor. Rather than placing the blame on the individual for poverty, structured socialization theory rightly establishes the idea that society undermines the poor. Society’s influence is discernable through an employer’s negative perceptions or stereotypes toward poor individuals. By not granting individuals in poverty job opportunities, employers diminish the chances for some to rise above the poverty line. The guidelines and theoretical frameworks for each argument are imperative to understand poverty. Each piece of a theory adds a new layer. Tackling the problem of poverty then requires a multifaceted approach with no single solution. This approach begins with the poor not being held in contempt. The negative connotation associated with poverty instead must be changed to sentiments of empathy and compassion. A just country would help the people who face financial struggles everyday. Instead of perceived equality, justice in the form of increased welfare, increased taxes on the rich, and progressive punishments must be distributed to give the poor a fighting chance. Something as small as a traffic ticket makes a huge difference in one man’s pocket while going unnoticed in another’s