The Stigma of Poverty
The Stigma of Poverty
Gina Pardue
English W 131
Professor Brooks
February 24, 2011
Writer’s Memo
Poverty is real. People from all walks of life experience it. Those living in poverty are subject to not only the conditions of poverty, but to the stigma that parts of society places on the poor. Society tends to judge the poor and label them as being low-end citizens that choose to live in poverty. Those living in poverty are seen as ignorant and lazy. They are assumed to be liars and thieves. Some people in society are even afraid of the poor. The poor are judged as being violent and accused of having drug and alcohol problems. They are condemned and made to feel guilty and worthless. Society automatically thinks that those living in poverty have made bad decisions and have created their own demise. The poor are called dirty, or even worse, trash. I know from personal experience. For a period of time in my childhood my family lived in poverty. During that time, my family and I experienced the stigma that is placed on the poor. We were able to pull ourselves back into the stream of middle-class, but it took over two years before we were able to. During those years we were judged and labeled by society so harshly, that the effects from that stigma are still felt today. I know first-hand that the stigma of poverty is wrong. My family didn’t make bad decisions that led to our financial status. We weren’t liars or thieves. We weren’t violent with drug and alcohol issues. My parents were and still are hard workers and cannot be described as being lazy. They are college-educated and extremely intelligent. Our family came to find ourselves in poverty by a matter of chance. Society needs to change the perception of the poor and erase the stigma of those in poverty. The damage that is done due to that stigma can last a lifetime. There needs to be more awareness of the multiple reasons of
Gina Pardue
English W 131
Professor Brooks
February 24, 2011
Writer’s Memo
Poverty is real. People from all walks of life experience it. Those living in poverty are subject to not only the conditions of poverty, but to the stigma that parts of society places on the poor. Society tends to judge the poor and label them as being low-end citizens that choose to live in poverty. Those living in poverty are seen as ignorant and lazy. They are assumed to be liars and thieves. Some people in society are even afraid of the poor. The poor are judged as being violent and accused of having drug and alcohol problems. They are condemned and made to feel guilty and worthless. Society automatically thinks that those living in poverty have made bad decisions and have created their own demise. The poor are called dirty, or even worse, trash. I know from personal experience. For a period of time in my childhood my family lived in poverty. During that time, my family and I experienced the stigma that is placed on the poor. We were able to pull ourselves back into the stream of middle-class, but it took over two years before we were able to. During those years we were judged and labeled by society so harshly, that the effects from that stigma are still felt today. I know first-hand that the stigma of poverty is wrong. My family didn’t make bad decisions that led to our financial status. We weren’t liars or thieves. We weren’t violent with drug and alcohol issues. My parents were and still are hard workers and cannot be described as being lazy. They are college-educated and extremely intelligent. Our family came to find ourselves in poverty by a matter of chance. Society needs to change the perception of the poor and erase the stigma of those in poverty. The damage that is done due to that stigma can last a lifetime. There needs to be more awareness of the multiple reasons of