- Published: June 13, 2022
- Updated: June 13, 2022
- University / College: University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
- Level: Secondary School
- Language: English
- Downloads: 27
Introduction Poverty is the of an individual who lacks a definite amount of money or material possessions. The of poverty can be categorized into two aspects like absolute poverty and relative poverty. Destitution or absolute poverty refers to the deficiency of several basic human needs that generally includes water, shelter, food, clothes, sanitation, education and healthcare. On the other hand, relative poverty is defined as the economic inequality in the society or location in which people live. The report will portray secular view on poverty. Characteristics of Poverty There are several characteristics of poverty. Individuals who are considered under the below poverty line generally deprive of good treatment facility, education facility, housing facility and healthy food distribution facility. It is true that governments of several countries are taking various initiatives to reduce the percentage of poor people. Rise in living cost depriving the poor people to have sufficient food in a day. It is true that the poor people spend high percentage of their budget to buy food items comparing to the rich people. In adequate food distribution of government is causing diseases like malnutrition. Day by day, the number of homeless children around the world is significantly increasing. People who are considered under below poverty line are finding it difficult to lead their daily life without any difficulty due to low income distribution, high unemployment rate and lack of work opportunity. In addition to this, poor children are depriving to achieve basic education. It is true that poor households cannot understand the significance of child education due to several economic and social difficulties. Health, food and education are considered as the basic needs of human being, but poor people are not getting these facilities due to lack of sufficient wealth and awareness. Government announced several programs and policies for the welfare of poor people. But lack of awareness and ability to capitalize on the opportunities are increasing the percentage of poor people. Secular View on Poverty Social state of people can be divided into two parts, such as poor and rich. According to several economists and socialists, a nation should try to reduce the percentage of poor people in order to improve the economic and social state of country. An underdeveloped country cannot achieve significant growth rate until the poor people do not get any kind of opportunity to improve their status of life. It is the responsibility of the government of a country to make an effective social balance. It can only happen through providing income and several potential opportunities to the poor people. Food, health and safety are the most prime needs of an individual. The rich people and the several entrepreneurs within a society should try to understand the fact that providing opportunities to the poor people will help the society in several ways. Education for poor children and employment opportunity for several skilled poor individuals will help the country to achieve economic growth (Lister 76). It is the morale and fundamental right of the poor people to avail basic needs. The government should motivate several small and medium entrepreneurs to generate employment for the uneducated poor people. On the other hand, the rich people of the society should have the strong intension to help the poor people. For the sake of morality and humanity, rich people should take the responsibility to help the poor people in their internal and external situations. Helping to the poor cannot affect the economic and financial condition of the rich people. There are several significant ways of helping the poor. Governments of several countries have taken morale initiatives to help the poor. Adoption of effective social science theory and significant policies can help the people under below poverty line to live a healthy life. Poverty is a curse to the society that is created by the human beings. In the ancient time, the powerful people of the society tried to increase their monetary and financial status by depriving the poor people from their basic fundamental rights (Gifford 45). It is important for several theorists and policy makers to take a close and serious look on the aspect in order to overcome this social challenge. Conclusion Poverty is a man made problem that has several negative impacts on the country’s economic and social growth. The percentage of poor and homeless people is significantly growing around the globe. It is quite important for the government of a country to provide several key opportunities to the poor people in order to fulfill their basic needs, such as need for healthcare, food, water, clothes, shelter and education. Work Cited Lister, Ruth. Poverty. London: Polity, 2004. Print. Gifford, Clive. Poverty. London: Evans Brothers. 2009. Print.