Explanations for Poverty
Victim blame
- work ethic
- meritocracy
- stereotyping
- working poor
Notes:
See the text on pages 290--292. The Critical Thinking Box (p. 291) discussing the ideas of
William Julius Wilson is especially important.
The victim blame explanation is quite similar to the blame the victim approach often used
to explain rape (she had it coming because she wore a short skirt or went out alone at night.)
Cultural emphasis on the work ethic, meritocracy, etc. and historical definitions of the
deserving poor combine to create an easily scapegoated powerless population which is then
blamed for its members condition. Thus the poor, even though most of those who qualify as poor
do work very hard at minimum wage or part time jobs without benefits, are stereotyped as "lazy."
Their disadvantaged position is portrayed as a character flaw on their part- "they" are seen as
lacking in moral character. Modern interpretations of Social Darwinism thus depict the poor as
welfare cheats, etc.