THEORETICAL PERSPECTIVES OF POVERTY - THE CULTURE OF POVERTY

The Culture of Poverty

Origins and Basic Assumptions

• Proposed by Oscar Lewis (1959) in Five Families: Mexican Case Studies in the Culture of Poverty.

• Based on studies of urban communities in Mexico and Puerto Rico.

• Influenced U.S. policies on poverty, particularly Lyndon Johnson’s War on Poverty.

• Suggests that poverty leads to a distinct culture that sustains itself over generations.

Characteristics of Poor Communities

• Unstable employment; reliance on child labor.

• Lack of savings; constant cash shortages.

• No food reserves; frequent small food purchases instead of bulk buying.

• Pawning personal belongings for short-term financial relief.

• Overcrowded housing; lack of privacy.

• High rates of alcoholism and domestic violence.

• Early sexual activity and father abandonment.

The Concept of "A Design for Living"

• The culture of poverty shapes behaviors and attitudes, making it difficult for individuals to escape poverty even when opportunities arise.

• These attitudes are passed down through generations, creating a self-perpetuating cycle.

• This "design for living" operates on three levels: individual, family, and community.

Level 1 – The Individual

• Fatalistic mindset – belief that life is controlled by fate.

• Present-oriented thinking – focus on immediate survival rather than future planning.

• Little ability to delay gratification.

• Feelings of inferiority, marginalization, and powerlessness.

• Dependence on government assistance for survival.

Level 2 – The Family

• Mother-centered households with informal unions instead of marriage.

• High rates of single mothers and absent fathers.

• Frequent domestic violence and physical discipline of children.

• High divorce rates and male marginalization in the home.

Level 3 – The Community

• Low participation in community groups, such as trade unions and political organizations.

• Minimal involvement in major institutions.

• Reliance on informal money lenders who charge high interest rates.

Criticisms of the Culture of Poverty Theory

• Blames the poor for their situation rather than considering external factors.

• Fails to recognize the role of economic structures, unemployment, and underemployment in maintaining poverty.

• Marxists argue that poverty results from systemic inequalities, not cultural attitudes.

• Many poor individuals have improved their conditions through education and activism, proving that poverty is not culturally ingrained.

• Assumes that criminal activity is a choice, rather than a response to limited job opportunities.