Question

Interactionist perspectives focus on individuals and their interpretation of the social world. Discuss any one (1) of these perspectives in relation to the culture of poverty.

Answer 1

According to the culture of poverty at times people's values or cultural norms come in their way of becoming affluent. This view offers a way to explain why despite anti-poverty programs, poverty exists. The people in the culture of poverty are characterized by a strong feeling of; marginality, helplessness, dependency and not belonging. This alienates them from the mainstream, due to lack of confidence. Thus generating a vicious cycle of poverty; leading to more poverty. Thus the poor individuals and their interpretation of the social world led them to more and more of helplessness and poverty as they develop the feeling of being marginalized.