The lower class is the lowest cast in the social ladder and is comprised of both the lowest earners in the economy as well as those who do not earn at all. Statistically, the lower class amounts to about 12% of the US population but the number could be much higher since there are no definite parameter for establishing the same. Some families especially those with low earners, will sometimes fall in and out of the lower class depending on the availability of work or economic circumstances (Patterson, 2009). There are two main categories within the lower class; the working poor and the underclass.
The working poor are individuals or families who remain within the lower class or move in and out of the lower class despite their greatest exertions; most of them are manual laborers or holders of one or more underpaying jobs but despite their fervent efforts, they are not able to earn enough to meet their fundamental needs hence, bound in the circle of poverty. The underclass on the other hand is the lethargic or disabled lower class members who rely solely or mostly on social assistance including foot stamps and welfare checks. Some of them cannot work, like the disabled while others do not work for personal or other reasons.
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Poverty is defined as the lack of the socially acceptable basic items mostly through the inaccessibility of the purchasing power in the form of money. There is a poverty line mostly defined by the federal government and amended from time to time through parameters such as inflation. To be poor means that one is unable to afford those things that are generally taken for granted like food, clothing, shelter and electricity.
Perpetual poverty however, is not a state but a culture; a set of accepted and treasured values, beliefs, character and systems that ensure that passage of time or change of circumstances will not affect the poverty status (Patterson, 2009). The main prerequisite of a culture is acceptance. For poverty to become perpetual, those in it must accept that they are supposed to be poor and be determined either to remain as such or not to do anything about it. Whereas the lower class does not per se perpetuate poverty, it would be hard to argue that the underclass, being part of the lower class, does not contribute to the perpetuation of poverty.
There is an archaic adage that says ‘teach me how to fish, instead of giving me fish.’ The reliance of the underclass on the social support means that they will constantly remain below the poverty line and within the underclass yet always survive since their very basic needs are being met. This creates a comfort zone within the uncomfortable zone of the underclass thus establishing an unbreakable culture of poverty. Unfortunately, there are also the aged, the ailing and the disabled who unwillingly also perpetuate the culture of poverty but do not have a choice.
The same cannot apply to the working poor. For some unfortunate reason like low academic qualifications, ailments or partial disability, they are not able to obtain well-paying jobs or careers that can enable them climb the social ladder, this compels them to work hard, not smart but they never give up. And keep on working and trying to break the cycle of poverty. Some of them hold multiple jobs and even attend part time academics to try and better themselves and their. They are also those who are stuck in the poverty cycle because they have too many dependents or some of their dependents are in need of specialized medical or academic attention like a child with downs syndrome or a parent with Alzheimer’s. The working poor maybe stuck in the middle class but fighting to get out of it and if circumstances change they would and usually do get out of it.
The upshot of the foregoing is that the culture of the poverty does exist and there’s need for sensitization and education to break it as poverty is a big burden to the society. It is time for those who can work but won’t work to be denied social security assistance and the same be channeled to those in dire need of it like the disabled and the elderly, and in assisting the working poor end the cycle of poverty in their lives. This will end the culture of poverty in perchance and with time eliminate the lower class.
Reference
Patterson, J. T. (2009). America's struggle against poverty in the twentieth century . Cambridge, CA: Harvard University Press.
