Herbert Gan Poverty
The Uses of Poverty Analysis
Introduction
In this week’s assignment, we were asked to read Herbert J. Gan’s The Uses of Poverty: The Poor Pay All, and to discuss the following areas. First we will discuss Herbert Gan’s perspective on poverty. Then we will look how Gan’s provocative insights help explain the tenacity of poverty in America. Finally we will discuss how Herbert Gan demonstrates that theory can be used to understand modern social problems.
Perspective on Poverty Herbert Gan’s perspective on poverty appears to be that it is currently part of our social fabric. Our society’s government and some professions depend on the presence of poverty in America. Gan presents several basic alternatives to re-structure society if poverty was
…show more content…
Gan wrote that there were several positive functions economic, social, and political that comes from poverty in America (Gan, 1971). First poverty ensures that dirty work is accomplished such as dead-end, temporary, physically dirty, labor intensive work (Gan, 1971). Second the poor have supported innovation in the medical field, as many of the poor population seek treatment at teaching hospital and submit to treatment as test subject in medical experiments (Gan, 1971). Third the poor create occupations and professions that service the poor (Gan, 1971). Fourth the poor buy products and services that the rest of society does not want such as day-old-bread, second hand clothes, and the poor tend to the use the serveries of sub-standard or ageing doctors and lawyers (Gan, 1971). Another function Gan stated that the poor provided society was in the realm of politics. Gan stated that the poor facilitated and stabilized the American political process because the vote and participate in politics less than other groups the political system can ignore them more easily (Gan, 1971). These are just a few of the functions that Gan stated in his paper but the few I have presented here paint the picture of Gan’s insight into poverty. I believe in simple terms that Gan shows that American society does not really try to eradicate poverty
Summary Of The Other America By Ehrenreich
184 Words | 1 PagesEhrenreich discusses poverty in the United States and more specifically the “culture of poverty”. Ehrenreich shows the effect of Michael Harringtons’s book “The Other America” and how it shaped the conservative view of poverty. After Harrington’s book, poverty was seen as personal issue not a social issue. The book gave reasoning for sepperating us from them, poor from rich, or educated from non-educated. Many governing politicians used this book to form there view of poverty and to see it as a problem with the person, not a problem with economics or wealth distribution.
Summary Of It Is Abusive To Be Poor By Barbara Ehrenreich
294 Words | 2 PagesIn “It is Expensive to Be Poor”, Barbara Ehrenreich claims that it is time for us to take a stand against poverty and help the people suffering. The author notes that the war on poverty was started by president Lyndon B. Johnson about five decades ago. The government started giving money to support groups. (para. 1-2).
Poverty In Gordon Parks Flavio's Home
1184 Words | 5 PagesPaint a picture of poverty. What do you see and where does it take place? Is it in a city like New York? Maybe it takes place at the dried, barren lands in the continent of Africa. Now, imagine it a hundred times worse, with no proper housing, limited water and sewage system, and lacking food and other general necessities.
Analysis Of Sherman Alexie's The Absolutely True Diary Of A Part-Time Indian
985 Words | 4 PagesArnold reflects, “Poverty doesn’t give you strength or teach you lessons about perseverance. No poverty only teaches you how to be poor” (13). The author uses this line as a tool to show
Inequality In The 1960's
1226 Words | 5 PagesIn the 1960’s citizens of the United States were considered to be living in poverty. It was a difficult and controversial time for American citizens due to the lack of food, jobs, and education. Apart from these factors there was both economic and racial inequality occurring at the same time. Throughout the presidency of John F. Kennedy and later Lyndon B. Johnson there was a plan to end poverty not through the aid of welfare, but through opportunities. Opportunities to succeed, advance, and reach prosperity, but even though this was the aim some of the problems discussed in the 1960’s are still being questioned today.
Michael Harington's How I Discovered The Truth About Poverty
570 Words | 3 PagesIn the article “How I Discovered the Truth about Poverty” Barbara Ehrenreich gives her view in poverty and explains why she think Michael Harington’s book “The Other American” gives a wrong view on poverty. She explained that Harrington believes that the poor thought and felt differently and what divides the poor was their different “culture of poverty.” Ehrenreich goes on to explain on how the book that became a best seller caused so many bad stereotypes on the poor that by the Reagan era poverty was seen as “bad attitudes” and “faulty lifestyles” and not by the lack of jobs or low paying jobs. And they also viewed the poor as “Dissolute, promiscuous, prone to addiction and crime, unable to “defer gratification,” or possibly even set an alarm clock.”
Analysis Of So Rich So Poor Edelman
1469 Words | 6 PagesIntroduction So Rich, So Poor: Why It's So Hard to End Poverty in America is a masterpiece of economic analysis by Peter Edelman. A former aide to the Senator Robert F. Kennedy, that the author focuses on how the nation that is considered to the greatest is at the center of the poverty as a subject of national discussion. While stopped working with Senator Kennedy he fought against all odds to highlight this serious state of the nation. In fact, against all the odds, Peter Edelman sets forth to give an intriguing analysis of what the United States has become; the new poverty frontier.
How Can The United States Continue To Be A Land Of Opportunity Essay
1592 Words | 7 PagesAmericans are commonly taught the idea of the United States being the "land of opportunity" – where everyone can achieve success through hard work alone, but that is not entirely accurate. While the United States has a history of providing opportunities and upward mobility for some individuals, it is not a universal reality for everyone. One of the rock issues being the amount of poverty in the United States – which is multifaceted and influenced by various factors. While the United States has often been referred to as the "land of opportunity," there are several reasons why poverty continues to affect the country. Economic inequality has been a core issue to poverty in America.
Poverty In Oscar Wilde's 'The Picture Of Dorian Gray'
270 Words | 2 PagesI have never experienced life through the lens of poverty. Poverty has never made me choose between dinner or school supplies, my parents have never worried about my clothes being clean and new, or about where our next meal was coming from. Despite my fortune, half of the world’s population, more than three billion people, live off of less than $2.50 per day. For this reason alone, it was my assumption that everyone shared my understanding and sympathy for the many people across the globe who experience severe poverty.
It Is Expensive To Be Poor By Barbara Ehrenreich Essay
1170 Words | 5 PagesThe Truth About Poverty “Poverty is like punishment for a crime you didn't commit” this quote was said by Mahatma Gandhi and it relates so well with this article “It is Expensive To Be Poor”, answer the question yourself, Is it expensive to be poor? This article is titled like that to get the audience's attention early and have them thinking ahead of reading. The author Barbara Ehrenreich is building a pre thought when she does this which helps support her claim. “It is Expensive To Be Poor” by Barbara Ehrenreich is an article posted on “The atlantic” “which is where you can find your current news and analysis on politics, business, culture, and technology”. Knowing what “The Atlantic” offers for readers this gives Ehrenreich a detailed look at who she is writing to.
Feeding America Research Paper
1348 Words | 6 PagesMillions of people all over the world suffer from poverty. Americans usually think of third world countries when thinking of poverty, often one will not realize that it is a problem right here at home. Everyone will agree that poverty is a problem, but how exactly does poverty affect people? Most people will think of an old beggar on the side of the road with a sign and a tin can in their hand when they think of poor people. But the age group that is most affected by poverty in our nation is our children.
The Cycle Of Poverty
84 Words | 1 PagesThe cycle of poverty is something discussed in political, medical, education and social circles. The children that are stuck in the cycle often becomes adults that remain in the living conditions and lifestyle of poverty. A few ways that they become trapped is through their poor health and educational opportunities. My thesis statement is, The cycle of poverty continues to plague American children and families, but with some changes focused on health care and education they may be able to escape from the cycle.
Examples Of Poverty In 1984
721 Words | 3 Pages1984 Synthesis Essay Poverty negatively influences how the minds of people work in the world. The fact that poverty exists itself, obstructs people from changing their circumstances in what is known as “the cycle of poverty.” The lower class is incredibly disadvantaged in that it lacks the necessary social and economic resources needed to increase chances of social mobility. In return, the absence of these resources may increase poverty. Therefore, the lower class is unable to change its situation because the majority believes that any efforts to climb the social ladder is highly inefficient.
The Pros And Cons Of Relative Poverty
959 Words | 4 PagesThe solutions therefore interpreted as a need for greater economic growth, with a focus on building human capacity/capital. Conceptualization of poverty has broadened to include non-economic components. Thus, poverty is increasingly being recognized as multi-dimensional, distinguishing the numerous aspects of people’s lives affected by poverty, including economic and non-economic dimensions, and recognizing that poverty occurs within and is affected by the political, economic, social and cultural context (Sen,
Poverty In Social Class
3005 Words | 13 PagesIn 20% of the 0.60 They poor Poverty percentage of the working class is a social phenomenon , which is very complex , and trying to find the cause of simple praise. The typical interpretation ( and simplification ) , which continues to cause them poor idea , anything is possible on the basis of poverty in America . He accused some poor theoreticians and have little concern for the future , preferring to "live the moment . " In self-destructive
More about Herbert Gan Poverty
Summary Of The Other America By Ehrenreich
184 Words | 1 PagesSummary Of It Is Abusive To Be Poor By Barbara Ehrenreich
294 Words | 2 PagesPoverty In Gordon Parks Flavio's Home
1184 Words | 5 PagesAnalysis Of Sherman Alexie's The Absolutely True Diary Of A Part-Time Indian
985 Words | 4 PagesInequality In The 1960's
1226 Words | 5 PagesMichael Harington's How I Discovered The Truth About Poverty
570 Words | 3 PagesAnalysis Of So Rich So Poor Edelman
1469 Words | 6 PagesHow Can The United States Continue To Be A Land Of Opportunity Essay
1592 Words | 7 PagesPoverty In Oscar Wilde's 'The Picture Of Dorian Gray'
270 Words | 2 PagesIt Is Expensive To Be Poor By Barbara Ehrenreich Essay
1170 Words | 5 PagesFeeding America Research Paper
1348 Words | 6 PagesThe Cycle Of Poverty
84 Words | 1 PagesExamples Of Poverty In 1984
721 Words | 3 PagesThe Pros And Cons Of Relative Poverty
959 Words | 4 PagesPoverty In Social Class
3005 Words | 13 Pages