When Poverty is Transmitted Over Generations, It Becomes a Culture Elucidate

When Poverty is Transmitted Over Generations, It Becomes a Culture Elucidate

Poverty is one of the oldest and most difficult problems faced by human society. It is not just the absence of money, food, or resources. Poverty is also about lack of education, poor health, social exclusion, and very limited opportunities for progress. In many parts of the world, poverty is not just a temporary problem but something that continues for generations. The children of poor families often grow up to be poor adults, and their children also face the same struggles. This cycle goes on and on, creating what many scholars call the “culture of poverty.” we will try to understand what it means when poverty is transmitted over generations, how it becomes a culture, why it is difficult to break this cycle, and what society and government can do to overcome it.

Understanding Poverty

Poverty can be explained in two main ways:

1.Absolute Poverty – When people do not have enough money to afford the basic needs of life such as food, shelter, and clothing.

2.Relative Poverty – When people have much less income and resources compared to the average standard of living in their society.

But poverty is not only about income. It is also about lack of education, lack of health care, poor sanitation, unemployment, and social discrimination. Poverty limits people’s ability to live a full and dignified life.

Generational Transmission of Poverty

When a family is poor, its members face many disadvantages:

• They cannot afford good schools for their children.
• They cannot afford nutritious food, so children often suffer from poor health.
• They may live in unsafe houses or slums.
• They do not have social connections or networks that can provide better opportunities.
• They often have to work as daily wage laborers, which gives them no long-term security.

Because of all these reasons, children born into poor families start their lives with many disadvantages compared to children from richer families. When they grow up, they often continue to struggle, and the same cycle repeats with the next generation. This is called intergenerational transmission of poverty.

How Poverty Becomes a Culture

When poverty continues for a long time, generation after generation, it begins to shape the behavior, mindset, and lifestyle of people. This is what scholars describe as the culture of poverty.

1.Mindset of Hopelessness
Poor families often start believing that poverty is their fate and nothing can change it. This leads to a lack of motivation to try for better opportunities.

2.Low Value on Education
In poor communities, people may think that education does not bring real benefits. Parents may prefer to send children to work rather than to school.

3.Acceptance of Child Labor
In poor families, children working at a young age is seen as normal. This becomes a cultural practice.

4.Dependency and Survival Attitude
Instead of long-term planning, poor families often focus only on day-to-day survival.

5.Social Isolation
Poor families and communities often get isolated from mainstream society. Their habits, traditions, and lifestyle become very different.

When these attitudes and practices continue for a long time, poverty becomes not just an economic problem but a social culture.

Examples of Poverty as a Culture

1.Caste-based Poverty in India
In India, lower caste communities such as Dalits and Adivasis have faced historical discrimination. Many of them have remained poor for generations. Their children often do not get good education or jobs, and poverty continues.

2.Slums in Cities
In big cities like Mumbai, Rio de Janeiro, or Nairobi, slum communities have existed for decades. People born there grow up with the same limited opportunities, and poverty becomes part of their daily life and culture.

3.Racial Poverty in the US
In the United States, African American communities in some areas face poverty for generations due to past discrimination, lack of opportunities, and poor education systems.

Why Poverty Culture is Hard to Break

1.Educational Disadvantages – Poor children often drop out of school. Without education, they cannot get good jobs.

2.Poor Health – Malnutrition and lack of healthcare reduce their ability to work productively.

3.Limited Social Networks – They do not know people who can help them get better opportunities.

4.Social Discrimination – In many societies, certain groups are excluded due to caste, race, or ethnicity.

5.Psychological Barriers – Lack of confidence and low self-esteem make it hard to dream of a better life.

Criticism of the “Culture of Poverty” Concept

While the idea of poverty as a culture is powerful, some scholars argue that it is also problematic. Critics say:

• It sometimes blames the poor for their poverty, rather than focusing on structural problems such as inequality, unemployment, and lack of government support.
• Poverty is not always about mindset; it is also about lack of real opportunities.
• Many poor people work very hard, but the system does not reward them fairly.

So, while culture plays a role, the main reasons for generational poverty are structural and systemic.

Breaking the Cycle of Poverty

To stop poverty from becoming a culture, strong efforts are needed at many levels:

1.Education for All
Free and good-quality education, especially for children of poor families, is the most important step. Scholarships, mid-day meal programs, and free textbooks can help.

2.Healthcare Access
Public healthcare systems must ensure that poor families get affordable treatment, vaccinations, and nutrition.

3.Skill Development and Employment
Vocational training and job opportunities should be provided so that poor youth can earn stable incomes.

4.Social Security
Schemes like pensions, unemployment benefits, and food subsidies can provide basic support to poor families.

5.Women Empowerment
Educating and empowering women helps in breaking the cycle of poverty because educated mothers ensure better futures for their children.

6.Awareness Programs
Government and NGOs should run awareness campaigns to change the mindset of poor communities regarding education, health, and social practices.

Real-Life Success Stories

1.Kerala Model (India) – High literacy, good healthcare, and social equality have helped reduce poverty.

2.China’s Poverty Reduction – In the last 40 years, China lifted more than 800 million people out of poverty by creating jobs and providing education.

3.Self-Help Groups (SHGs) – In India, SHGs led by women have empowered families to earn extra income and educate their children.

When poverty is transmitted over generations, it becomes more than just an economic problem. It becomes a social culture that shapes people’s thinking, habits, and lifestyle. Breaking this culture is difficult but not impossible. It requires education, healthcare, jobs, and social support. Most importantly, society must treat the poor with dignity and create equal opportunities for all.

Poverty should not be accepted as fate or culture. With the right policies and collective effort, the cycle of poverty can be broken, and future generations can be given a chance at a better life.