The Culture of Poverty: an acculturation of social behavior

What is culture of poverty?
The culture of poverty is a social theory explaining the cycle of poverty. Culture of poverty theory suggests the poor remain in poverty because of their adaptations to the burdens of poverty.

Author Sudhir Vankatesh said of Oscar Lewis, “Maybe there's something in the way they live, in their lifestyle … that certain behaviors get transmitted from generation to generation.”

Sen. Moynihan suggested that perhaps there are cultural issues at place. He said, “ … the family structure in most inner-city communities is so weak that it transmits these values to generations over and over, so that we have to take it - we have to find ways to take care of the family structure.”

The liberals and conservatives argue against each other on this issue. The liberals argue that poverty is a result of discrimination and racism. The conservatives, on the other hand, argue that the poor need to change their behavior to get out of poverty. Money alone would not change poverty.

Point of view
I agree with the conservative’s view. And I also believe that changing behavior requires resources, not just the money as the liberals argue.

Culture is learned not innate. Poverty is our social construct. Out of it grew a distinct culture – culture of poverty. Senator Moynihan is right about changing family structure to resolve the crisis of poverty. But it won’t work alone. Money, resources, and institutions need to be built and restored.  Furthermore, people need to change in order to bring change to society.

Author Tom Friedman mentioned in his book The World is Flat about how self-centered we have become.  We focus on too much on ourselves.  Today, he said, we live in a "me, me, me" society.

But we can do better.  In today’s fast moving society, we need to look back and find a way to help others who can’t help themselves.