(H) 376-382: Gans, The Uses of Poverty

Poverty has been a way in which society has come to differentiate certain things. The lack of money has only been one of the components to classify someone as poor. While many people come from backgrounds in which money isn’t easily available, certain aspects separate those who are poor and those who are not. For example, a person who isn’t considered poor in the eyes of society is someone with an education and with a sense of accomplishments is different than someone without any money and without education. Poor people have come to be categorized into a group in which many people in higher classes never wish to stumble upon. Nevertheless, what most of society doesn’t realize is that without poverty, society would function in a completely different way that probably wouldn’t benefit those in higher classes. Poverty has become a way for those with money to take advantage of workers who are simply trying to work to survive. Rather than trying to become a society in which people all have equal opportunities, people with money take advantage of their workers to only benefit themselves and exploit those who need work. In doing so, poverty can’t seem to rise in the classes and instead its being pushed down even more. Poverty has become a status among society that’s necessary to hold the hierarchy of classes today. With more fair opportunities, poverty would cease to exist, however it has become crucial in the success of many businesses all over the world. As its continued to be manipulated, many people simply accept the fact that their lives are how they are and cannot be changed because of their dire need for money. Money has become the most powerful influence among people and continues to control those with less advantages than the ones pulling the strings.