Choice or chance?

The host of the Social Digest podcast discusses the topic of poverty and whether it is a matter of choice or predetermined fate. They argue that poverty is primarily a result of external factors such as systemic inequality, limited access to resources, and lack of job opportunities. Societal factors, generational poverty, and structural barriers all contribute to the difficulty of escaping poverty. While they acknowledge that some individuals may be lazy or ignorant, they believe that the system makes it hard for most people to break free from poverty. Addressing poverty requires a comprehensive approach that includes education, equal opportunities, and a supportive environment. Hello good people. Welcome to another episode of the Social Digest podcast. I'm your host, Cindy. And in case you're didn't hear, the Social Digest is basically my social safe place where I talk about all things social issues and give my take on various social issues. So today I'll be diving into a topic that has been on my mind for quite some time. Poverty. So I'll be talking about poverty and discussing whether I think poverty is a matter of choice or if it is purely predetermined fate. So let's find out. To kick things off, let me start by defining what I mean by poverty because I understand that poverty can be a relative term. And what passes off as poor for one person might not quite be the same thing that another person would term as poor. So in this context, I'll be focusing on abject poverty, or rather the state of lacking material possessions and basic necessities, which may help for a decent living. Now, some people argue that poverty is a result of individual choices. They believe that poor people have control over their circumstances and they can escape poverty through hard work, education and determination if they wanted to. On the other hand, we have other people who argue that poverty is primarily a product of external factors which are beyond an individual's control, or in other words, states. I happen to fall in the latter category and I believe that systemic factors such as unequal distribution of wealth, unlimited access to education and maybe the lack of job opportunities contribute massively to the complication of poverty. I believe that individuals who are born in disadvantaged backgrounds, they tend to face significant hurdles which make it very difficult for them to break free from the cycle of poverty. In this context, I will be breaking down these hurdles into three parts. So, let's get into it. First up, let's consider societal factors. So societal factors, for example, systemic inequality, discrimination and limited access to resources, they tend to create a landscape whereby we have certain individuals or certain communities being predisposed to poverty from birth. Let's consider the case of marginalized communities. So, due to this existing systemic inequality, we find marginalized communities being on the shorter end when it comes to distribution of resources. So, individuals who live in these communities tend to have very limited access to the most basic resources. Mind you, these are resources that are very important, for example, education, healthcare, maybe job opportunities. So, in the case of education systems, for example, we find that schools in these marginalized areas receive less funding than the schools in other places. The quality of education that people in these areas receive is greatly compromised, which makes it very hard for them to leverage education and use it as a tool to fight poverty. So, yes, I believe the interplay of these societal factors makes it way harder for poor people to break free from the vicious cycle of poverty. Because it's like having the wood stacked against you from birth, simply because you were born into a certain community. Next up, we have generational poverty. Breaking free from the poverty cycle can be super tough, especially when it's something that has been going on for generations. So, let me break this down for you in simpler terms. Generational poverty basically means that there are some families which have been stuck in poverty for multiple generations. It's like an uphill battle because limited resources, lack of access to quality education, and the limited job opportunities are things that have been passed down from one generation to another. It's like starting behind the starting line every time. Because when you grow up in an environment where money is tight, opportunities are scarce, it is very hard for you to imagine a different life. Because everyone that came before you was accustomed to this life. So, to break free from this cycle, you require not just hard work, but also access to resources and opportunities which will help you level up. But in this case, we have these resources, these opportunities are basically non-existent. Imagine trying to climb a mountain, but you don't have the proper gear, you do not have a clear path. So, it definitely becomes more challenging, right? So, in the same way, breaking free from the poverty cycle without the right support can feel like an arduous struggle. Then lastly, we have structural barriers. So, structural barriers are more or less a series of challenges which make it difficult for poor people to walk their way out. This can be seen by limited access to quality education and poor, limited opportunities. Structural barriers put the least fortunate people at a disadvantaged position, which makes it very hard for them to come out of poverty, despite them marching through and even making the necessary efforts to come out of poverty. I do acknowledge, however, that there are individuals who are inherently lazy and ignorant. Their continued state of being poor is as a result of their own actions, which makes the poverty as a choice argument very valid. However, I still maintain that most people who continue to languish in poverty do so not because they are lazy, but because the system makes it hard for them to come out of that situation. It is important for all of you guys to remember that the views expressed here are mine, and poverty is a complex issue which is influenced by a combination of personal choices and external circumstances as well. It's not black and white matter. As we wrap up this episode, let's remember that addressing poverty requires a comprehensive approach. It involves empowering individuals through education, providing equal opportunities, and creating a supportive environment which allows everyone to thrive. Let's endeavour to empower poor people to come out of their situation by providing lasting solutions, by creating a wholesome system which accommodates everyone, which supports everyone in their economic struggle. That has been my time, ladies and gentlemen, and thank you for joining me on this episode of my podcast. I hope to see you again on my next podcast. So, don't forget to follow us on our social media platforms at underscore special and underscore corner. We have our social media handles across all social media platforms. I love you guys, and see you next time. Bye! Thank you for watching!