Question

Explain the reasons that people are poor. Discuss the differentiation between individual characteristics and structural features of society.

Answer 1

The issue of ‘Poverty’ has always been at the center of conflicting social understandings. There are two theories that explain the reasons that why people are poor. Theory One states that Poverty Is an Individual construct and Theory Two states that Poverty Is Structural. Sociologists that are of the view that poverty is an individual phenomenon believe that the characteristics of individuals cause poverty. On the other hand, Sociologists who are of the view that poverty is a structural phenomenon examine structural features of society to find the causes of poverty.

The difference between the two approaches is tabulated below—

Poverty Is an Individual construct	Poverty Is Structural
This theory suggests that people are in poverty because of individual values and behaviors. Poor people are poor because they are lazy, uneducated, ignorant or inferior. Poverty is perpetuated across generations as these characteristics are passed on to future generations by parents.	This theory suggests that people are in poverty because of people’s position in the social class structure or is the effect of economic or political causes.
This theory stresses on internal’ causes of poverty – the attitudes, behaviors, poor choices or morals of people. Poor choices made by people. If people are poor, then they are so because of the kind of choices they make like how they live, work, spend money, etc.	This theory stresses on ‘external’ causes of poverty – Faulty economic system, social issues, and political causes. Reasons of poverty are considered to be- Inefficiency in an economic system that delivers inadequate income. Denial of access to education, employment opportunities or training in job skills to some people by society. Political instability and defective policies.
Paternalist intervention is considered t b the best remedy. Affirmative interventions like providing free education to the poor, awareness about hygiene etc. are considered to be the best solution to root out the problem of poverty.	Poverty is considered to be a social problem it involves social injustice and Social disorder. Altering the economic and social structure like providing equal opportunities for everyone in a society are considered to be the best solution t eliminate poverty.

Food for thought-

Nelson Mandela and other great leaders were/are of the view that poverty is structural and not individual. There are many real-life examples where people have defeated poverty and are nowhere near to what they used to be-“poor”. E.g. Oprah Winfrey.