Poverty is a major social issue that affects the whole world. A quarter of the population in the world live in absolute poverty. Most of the poor people lack the basic needs in life, which are shelter and food. Due to the high poverty levels, the vulnerable population causes stress to social programs like schools, healthcare systems, and the government.
The media has presented poverty in many different perspectives from causes of poverty to ways that can be used to reduce poverty levels. It explains that there are people who live in extreme poverty and spend 1.90 $ per day (Roser & Ortiz 2013). Research has also been presented in different articles on how the World vision has committed to ending poverty levels. Some media researchers have explained that industrialization and technology have contributed to a decrease in poverty levels. The media has also highlighted how the Covid-19 pandemic has contributed to the rise in poverty levels around the world (Patel et al 2020). A present finding explained in the media shows that by the end of the year 2020, an addition of 90-115m people will live in extreme poverty.
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My sociological imagination of poverty is that it arises due to the inequality from social to economic systems in the society. In most countries, particular groups and communities are neglected. Society is often in a capacity to help the needy people and support each other to rise from poverty levels. The leadership systems in most countries contribute significantly to the poverty levels of its citizens. For example, the lack of proper infrastructure to enable businesses' development leads to high poverty levels. In other leadership systems, increased tax revenues, which result in expensive living, make it impossible for all people to live comfortably, especially as they earn low wages. Lack of proper management of natural hazards also results in high poverty levels. The governments are responsible for ensuring measures to control flooding and drought are put into place. In my perspective, I think that many factors cause poverty. The lack of empowerment through education and motivation also leads to high poverty levels. Education and motivation are tools that help people identify ways to earn and live better lives. Conflict is also another reason for the increase in poverty. In regions where war leads to immigration, people live their lands and wealth to seek refuge in other areas.
I understand poverty as a social issue that should not exist in such high numbers. I believe in hard work and empowering myself. I think that poverty-stricken people should strive to better their lives. I also believe in using diverse methods to improve my living status. My culture perceives poverty as a social ill that people should strive to get rid of. Parents should strive to instill the values of hard work and independence in their children. I also think that people’s habits also contribute to high poverty levels. For example, lazy people would have no way out of poverty. Despite the fact that many factors are leading to increased poverty levels, my personal culture is that choices are essential in improving lives. There is no need to have many children if one has no means to cater for their food and medical expenses. People should empower themselves by improving their skills and having a positive attitude towards work to escape poverty.
Applying my sociological imagination has helped me understand the various social aspects that cause poverty in the world. The structure of society contributes to the increase or decline in poverty. I have learned that the distribution of resources and their management matters in decreasing poverty. The emergence of pandemics like the Covid 19 also lead to the increase of poverty. Through sociological imagination, I have also understood that every individual has a role to play despite the social structures and should contribute to improving their own lives and others.
References
Patel, J. A., Nielsen, F. B. H., Badiani, A. A., Assi, S., Unadkat, V. A., Patel, B., ... & Wardle, H. (2020). Poverty, inequality and COVID-19: the forgotten vulnerable. Public Health , 183 , 110.
Roser, M., & Ortiz-Ospina, E. (2013). Global extreme poverty. Our World in Data
Zuccala, A., & van Eck, N. J. (2011). Poverty research in a development policy context. Development Policy Review , 29 (3), 311-330.
