Social Issue: POVERTY
Introduction
The world has undergone several changes. A number of new technologies and innovations have been introduced, making work and living seem easier for some. However, in spite of these changes and developments, problems still arise. In the economic aspect, perhaps, one of the major and omnipresent problems of the world is poverty. People may be aware about it, what it is and why there is such a problem. Nonetheless, people are less knowledgeable or active in understanding how this problem can be resolved. Indeed it is ironic that in spite of the worsening status of poverty worldwide, a solution is still left undefined.
People understand poverty in various ways. Some aspects of these definitions are measurable, while some are not. Typically, people define and understand poverty as the inability to provide for ones needs. This condition or state is often termed as “moneylessness”. In a broader yet less concrete perspective, poverty is also considered as an aspect of social pathology, which includes not only the state of moneylessness but also the conditions of helplessness, lack of political influence, dependency and other similar situations. In this case, poverty is also a state of powerlessness. This type of poverty is less easily measured.
In the sense of moneylessness, poverty is defined as a problem of not having enough basic medium of exchange in order to satisfy the basic human needs as well as to function socially and economically. Within any society or part of the world, basic human needs always exist. Although the standards of living tend to vary from place to place, elementary human needs are basically the same. These include nutritious food, shelter, clothing, sanitation, medical attention, and for some affluent societies, recreation and entertainment. People who are suffering from poverty lack the financial resources, or money to acquire these basic needs. Accordingly, poverty is the point where the total earnings are inadequate to acquire the minimum necessities of life for mere physical efficiency.
Several other studies have given similar definitions of poverty. For instance, poverty may also be defined as the point wherein resources are seriously below the average family or individual. As the resources of an individual or family continue to diminish, the poor tends to withdraw themselves from participating in activities and customs sanctioned by the culture. This tendency to withdraw is also recognized as poverty line or threshold. More specifically, poverty can be defined in this way: Persons, families or groups are considered to be in poverty when they have insufficient resources to acquire the types of diet, participate in activities, and obtain the living conditions that are usual or at least widely approved or encouraged within the societies where they belong.
The size of a person’s income is not only factor that makes poor people different from others. Many are dependent economically as well as psychologically. People in poverty have higher than average rates of suicide, criminality, physical and mental illness, alcoholism and narcotics addiction. Poor people are likely to live within unhealthy environments and in physically unsafe structures. Moreover, social and family disorganizations are highly prevalent among poor people. These observations and problems of poverty encompass the feeling of powerlessness. Majority of the poor people lead lives that appear to be regulated outside their control. Most likely, evil forces or those in positions of authority are then ones monitoring people in poverty. This point is further emphasized by the concept of relative deprivation. As argued by (1979), the market generates certain levels of deprivation that systematically hinders the poor from participating in economic and social activities of the society.
Poverty and Health of Individual
Because of poverty, there are many other social issues and concerns that emerge. One of these is in accordance with the health status of people. According to the United Nations Development, poverty has a direct effect on the people’s health status, and in fact, causes the growing number of sick people worldwide. This makes health a sound indicator of economic development. Thus, when a society is prosperous, the health status of the population is highly promoted. From this perspective, the UNDP noted that a two-way relationship is existent between economic development and health and suggested that reducing poverty rate should serve as a prerequisite for the success of various health reforms.
Indeed, among others, people suffering from poverty often experience poorer health status in all aspects. This is primarily because poor people are most likely to be unemployed or working in low-paying jobs, have low levels of education, live within unsanitary or damp physical environments and have less access to health services. Poor people are likely to smoke or drink excessive alcohol, have inadequate or poor food intake as well as less exercise. Moreover, being in the poverty line makes it difficult for people to access health care. This in turn reduces their motivation and opportunity to adopt a healthier lifestyle.
While poverty is considered as one of the main indicators of health status, poor health also serves as a cause and indicator of poverty. In a study conducted in 2001, about two-thirds of the households headed by a disabled or ill person fell below the sixty percent poverty line. Apparently, people suffering from serious disabilities or illnesses render them unable to work. As a result, most of them had been dependent on welfare payments. The medical costs, combined with the financial burden of their unemployment and other expenses usually turn into a family issue, contributing to intergenerational poverty. Their status is further worsened by the insufficient financial resources, inadequate capabilities to improve their current situation as well as the inaccessible and insufficient services.
Conclusion
Poverty is a broad term which can be defined and understood in many ways. While people would normally relate poverty as a state of having insufficient resources to provide for daily need, various authors have also given their own definitions. In general, poverty is defined as the situation wherein resources are depleted, making the person unable to interact or participate socially. At varying levels, poverty has been a condition observed in all parts of the world.
Indeed, poverty has been a growing problem worldwide. Yet, in spite of the problem’s worsening status, a solution is yet to be identified. Meanwhile, a growing number of people under the poverty line suffer from this economic and social problem. While poverty has led to several difficulties and challenges, the health status of the poor have been recognized as among the major concerns.
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