Culture Of Poverty Research Paper

The Culture of Poverty
The culture of poverty is defined as a social theory that is based on the concept that the poor have a unique value system and that the poor remain in poverty because of their adaptations to the burdens of poverty. (Wikipedia, 2010) But does the culture of poverty actually exist or is it just a popular concept? According to Oscar Lewis the culture of poverty does exist. Lewis states that “although the burdens of poverty were systemic and therefore imposed upon these members of society, they led to the formation of an autonomous subculture as children were socialized into behaviors and attitudes that perpetuated their inability to escape the underclass.” (Oscar Lewis, 1959) Lewis studied those living in poverty extensively
Lewis was the first to introduce this concept in the United States but he did not believe that the culture of poverty existed here but that it was only present in third world countries. Other sociologist, however, such as Michael Harrington and Walter Miller, disagree. They believe that the culture of poverty does exist here and in other advanced countries. Miller believes that “the American lower class has its own set of focal concerns that emphasize masculinity, living for the present, and luck rather than effort as the basis of success and he regards this class subculture as self-perpetuating.” (Theories of Poverty: The Culture of Poverty, Blacksacademy.net, 2010) Ruby Payne is another advocate of the culture of poverty concept. Payne states that “early life experiences, relationships with other people, education and employment shape the way people think and help determine life’s priorities. And the poor, the middle class and the wealthy have different ways of looking at things.” (Summit Explores Nature of Poverty, Sam Kusic, 2010) She also states that “understanding poor children and their families holds that there is a self-perpetuating “culture of poverty,”
There are some sociologists who claim their research does not show that this concept occurs in advanced nations. Charles and Betty Lou Valentine studied low-income black American’s and they found that while some were resigned to their status it is not what the majority feel. Resignation is a characteristic of the culture of poverty. The Valentines feel that since the majority lack that feeling this is proof that the concept is not a valid one. Madge and Brown found no evidence of the culture of poverty, as well, and they conclude that poverty is not the result of cultural constraints. There are other arguments against the idea of the culture of poverty, as well. One is that the culture of poverty is a reaction to lack of opportunity and to a low income. This is the idea that Lewis and Miller advocate. The sociologists who believe the situational reaction theory state that the poor share the same values as the rest of society. They also state that their behavior is a response to their perception of a hopeless situation. Elliot Liebow studied the life and culture of black “street corner men.” His research led him to believe that “the habits of members of this group, such as blowing money on a weekend of drinking, are reactions to their knowledge of their situation.” (Theories of Poverty: The Culture of Poverty, Blacksacademy.net, 2010) The arguments are many and varied and