Poverty can be a controversial subject and the varying perspectives wide-ranging. Much is emotive, appealing to the plight of the disadvantaged for understanding, donations, or support, whilst others demonstrate intolerance and ignorance.
“Growing up poor” (Ferguson, Fallon, & Wilesmith, 2012, September 24) explores a children’s perspective of poverty. Living in the outer Sydney suburb of Claymore, the children talk of drugs, violence, and the fear of living in one of the most disadvantaged areas of Australia. The number of lone parent families is high in this community, a fact that Cheal (2002) links with an increased likelihood of poverty. The effects of ongoing unemployment, limited income, and conflict are evident in the children’s low aspirations and school achievement (Cheal, 2002; Harper et al., 2003). They have low self-esteem, no hope for the future, and little motivation or resourcing for education. The intergenerational nature of the poverty in Claymore suggests that there are limited positive role models and that the transmission of attitudes, human capital, and traditions from their parents and carers will keep the children in poverty (Harper et al., 2003). Some parents are trying to overcome this by teaching their children the benefits of work, however, low education levels will likely perpetuate the risk of unemployment and continue the cycle (Australian Council of Social Service, 2011).
http://www.abc.net.au/4corners/stories/2012/09/20/3594298.htm “Single parents deserve support, not scapegoating“ (Davidson, 2012, July 16) also discusses the issues involved in lone parenting. The writer defends the stereotypical views portrayed in the media about welfare recipients who are mostly women. She discusses the issues that prevent many lone parents from earning a high wage including inflexible working hours, childcare costs and inadequacies, and the difficulty gaining employment after a break from the workforce. Cheal (2002) provides similar examples, adding that traditionally women are the main child carers, so time away from work prevents promotions and limits skills that are needed to gain employment and earn higher wages. In line with the Australian Council of Social service (2011), the article suggests that welfare helps families move out of poverty by contributing to the high cost of housing and improving school engagement and health. Davidson’s conclusion is that it is a disgrace that society wants to reduce welfare payments and put families at risk of homelessness because raising children is not considered valuable to the economy.
The comments posted in response to the article included a mix of positive and negative opinions. Women were targeted in relation to having children, being lone parents, and being on welfare, but there were only a couple of posts that discussed men’s responsibility in having and paying for children. Others discussed the issues that lone parents face.
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Tracy Chapman is well known for her songs about social issues including poverty. “Talkin’ bout a revolution” (Chapman, 1982) shows the potential for those living in disadvantage to “rise up” and effect change. Change starts with a few and as more join the whisper becomes louder. The underlying concept is an affluent society that sees the poor as insignificant and has little interest in their lives (Chapman, as cited in Aurelie, 2012). Although written many years ago, “Revolution” is as relevant today and is still used to enhance news and documentary footage of social issues.
The Christian Reform Church (CRCJustice, 2009, August 26) describes how families can fall into poverty and the ensuing cycle. It describes the concepts of poverty, applying the situation affecting one family to an entire community. Although one situation or event starts the process, it sets off a chain reaction of other events that lead to poverty. This video aims to educate the general public, including children, by using a realistic example that one could imagine happening to any family. It also promotes the church’s support options, specifically economic, educational, health, and community interventions. In the United States, Canada, and United Kingdom data show that 33%-50% of children will continue the cycle of poverty that they are born into (Corak, 2006). This suggests that intervention is necessary to reduce levels of disadvantage.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKh6nLCBj24 What is the cycle of poverty?
The recent Woodridge violence between two families generated stereotypical assumptions by introducing the poverty issue. Although media reports discussed the issue in relation to racial issues and a rift between the two families, a member of the Queensland parliament made derogatory and inflammatory comments connecting violence with poverty, unemployment, and welfare (The Courier-Mail, 2012 January 15).
Although links do exist, it is not automatic for every instance of violence to be perpetrated by a welfare recipient, disadvantaged family, or unemployed individual, nor is the opposite true. The use of the word “mob” also suggests that the comments were specifically targeting the Indigenous family. The families responded by explaining the employment status of some members (Brennan, 2012, January 16).
Responses were equally as disparaging. Twenty of the 28 responses read by the author either agreed with the Laming’s comment or agreed that the questions should be asked. http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/lnp-mp-for-bowman-andrew-laming-weighs-into-race-tensions-on-twitter-with-controversial-tweet/story-e6freoof-1226553935301 The photo that started “$2 portraits” is that of Christopher (Hawk, 2008). Thomas Hawk started this project as a way to get to know the homeless people he usually avoided. He wanted to “celebrate human beings”, so gives $2 to every person who asks him for money in return for a portrait and a little of their life story. Using social networking, Hawk’s project has brought the human face of poverty to the public, highlighting individual stories and the many similarities that people in poverty have with those who are not. Most posts to Hawk’s site are positive, but focus on the photographer rather than those asking for money. There are a couple of posts, however, that question this practice, suggesting that the project is more about Hawk than the homeless.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/thomashawk/2574461142/ |