This chapter was about poverty being essential to society. Poverty allows for goods not wanted by middle class and above to be sold. They also consume unwanted products such as houses, cars, and items from a thrift store. People in poverty will also do the dirty work that others are unwilling. They get underpaid, but they do not have a choice. They also serve as a measure rod for people who aren’t poor to determine their class. The elites will use them to show how they are better than other elites. This doesn’t mean that poverty should or must exist, there are ways to replace poverty. For workers, they could pay them more or automate them. With housing they would have to tear them down using tax payers money. Elites could use criminals/troubled teens to show that they are better than the poor. I’ve never personally been poverty stricken or poor, but I was told I was. My dad would always say how we are poor and don’t have any money when he makes about a six figure salary. He has the money to go out and get fast food, and buy weed for him and my mom. Last year he took a trip to Texas and paid for all his meals with his family. The rest of my family don’t believe him when he says we have no money. It wouldn’t surprise me that he had a good amount of money when lying. I never thought I was poor, I always thought I was middle class. To this day I just look at my dad when he claims we are poor. I am not able to say anything, but I know he’s lying.
3/22/2019
Sociology Blog 