THEORETICAL PERSPECTIVES - SITUATIONAL CONSTRAINTS

Situational Constraints Theory

Basic Assumptions

• This theory is a counterargument to the "culture of poverty" argument.

• It views the behavior of the poor as a response to situational constraints rather than internalized cultural patterns.

• This theory states that the poor would change their behavior if their circumstances were to change.

• According to this, the poor share the same values as mainstream society but are unable to turn them into a reality

Elliot Liebow – Tally’s Corner (1967)

• Conducted a participant observation study of "black street corner men" in low-income Washington, DC.

• Rejected the idea of a "culture of poverty" or a lower-class subculture, stating that the behaviour of the poor is based on their situational constraints.

• The men accepted mainstream values but could not live up to them as best as middle class men can.

• These men seek employment but end up unemployed, underemployed or employed in low paid jobs.

• They wanted jobs with higher salaries, but lack the requirements needed.

Future Expectations and Financial Behavior

• The men spent wages impulsively or quit jobs without reason, not due to instant gratification but because their future looked hopeless.

• Middle-class men can offered to save, invest and commit to their jobs and families, because those investments are likely to reap rewards like promotion, home ownership ad overall self - improvement.

• However these poor men do not have the resources to save for the future, but are obliged to spend the little that they have on their most immediate needs.

Family Life and Masculinity

• Like mainstream society, these poor men value the ideal of a conventional family life and want to play the role of breadwinner.

• However, their income prevents them from carrying out these roles of support leading to them deserting their families.

• Liebow stated, "To stay married is to live with your failure, to be confronted with it day in and day out."

• this would mean that the presence of matrifocal households is due to low incomes and not a culture.

• As a result, these men find companionship in other street corner men with similar circumstances.

• To deal with this they justify their failures and find respect by boasting about things like sexual conquests, gambling etc. to seem manly. This is referred to as the ‘theory of flaws’.

Evaluation: Ulf Hannerz – Soulside

• Provided a middle ground between the "Culture of Poverty" and "Situational Constraints" theories.

• Stated that:

  • Men initially reacted to their situation by retreating which eventually becomes a part of their culture.

  • These behaviors were then passed down to future generations.

  • This now acquired culture becomes a barrier for betterment even if the situation is to change.

  • He then concludes that situation constraints are more powerful in determining behavior of the poor as compared to a culture.