Poverty in Young and Middle Adulthood

An explanation of how poverty impacts the experience of individuals in young and middle adulthood?

The vicious poverty cycle in young adults and middle-aged persons suggests the passage of lifelong impediments and problems from generation to generation. A few transmitted plagues include: lack of schooling/education, disease transmission, child labor for aiding parents in raising the family and no basic personal hygiene. Extremely low family earnings and adult joblessness give rise to an atmosphere that makes it virtually impossible for children from such households to attend school. Meanwhile those who are able to attend school fail to understand that hard work and dedication will be able to change their lives for the better, since they witness their parents regularly failing at this task (Dario, 2015).

The following experiences are also linked to poverty in young adults and middle-aged persons: Drug and alcohol misuse -- right from African slum-dwellers to American adults, this self-destructing practice is usually adopted as a means of coping with the despair and considerable stress that comes with joblessness and destitution; crippling accidents because of dangerous work climates in the agricultural and industrial sectors, in addition to other workplace hazards like pesticide poisoning, lead poisoning, and wild-animal bites owing to inadequate protection; inferior living and lodging conditions, which has traditionally been identified as a source of disease; and food and water connected ailments because of the simple reason that poverty-ridden people are unable to afford "safe" drinking water and food (Dario, 2015).

A statement as to whether you think poverty is the result of cultural or individual characteristics; provide support for your position?

In my opinion, poverty stems from individual characteristics. Therefore, I would greatly stress on the importance of individual responsibility and sincere, committed efforts for acquiring basic necessities like food, healthcare services and housing. Individual traits also highlight the fact that good qualities, skills and diligence can bring about success. Lastly, individual poverty represents an individual failure because of lack of drive (Sameti, Esfahani & Haghighi, 2012).

An answer to the following questions about the theory of poverty you selected:

What aspects of this theory would be most suitable for your practice? Why?

I chose the structural poverty theory as the model most relevant to my social work. I agree with the theory's premise that bigger social and economic frameworks can explain poverty. Views on structural facets maintain that capitalism gives rise to conditions that foster destitution (Sameti, Esfahani & Haghighi, 2012).).

Furthermore, in my social work, I must appreciate the argument of structural theory proponents that one can largely trace back poverty to structural economic and interconnected institutional environmental aspects which give preferentiality to particular groups above others, usually on the basis of class, race/ethnicity, or sex. Of the many institutional settings which typically sustain numerous economic obstacles to a number of groups, gender and racial discrimination give rise to the most sinister barriers (Jordan, 2004).

For me, a second key element of the structural poverty theory is: increasing poverty in females forms a salient structural factor. The unduly high poverty rates in females can be considered an effect of patriarchal societies which continually resists female societal inclusion and advocates the historical male dominance. Consequently, welfare initiatives have been devised for stigmatizing public advocacy for females (Jordan, 2004).

What aspects of this theory do you find problematic in terms of your knowledge of social work practice? Explain.

One problematic element of the structural poverty theory, in my view, was the argument that most poor people work hard and are well-intentioned. The potential to take positive action is greatly restricted by their fear of the surrounding environment and the related societal stigma. By contrast, I have personally witnessed hard work to be an important trait in the affluent (Jordan, 2004).

A second problematic element is the argument regarding the American economic structure. According to the theory, regardless of personal skill, the American economic structure ensures poverty among millions in the population. But my practical experience has led me to realize that particular societal functions and positions require special knowledge and skills for their successful performance (Sameti, Esfahani & Haghighi, 2012).

References

Dario, B. (2015). Effects of poverty on society: Why we should all care. Retrieved December 19, 2016, from http://www.poverties.org/blog/effects-of-poverty

Jordan, G. (2004). The causes of poverty cultural vs. Structural: Can there be a synthesis. Perspectives in Public Affairs, 1, 18-34.

Sameti, M., Esfahani, R. D., & Haghighi, H. K. (2012). Theories of poverty: a comparative analysis. arabianjbmrcom, 1, 1-16.