Poverty: A Personal or Public Issue?

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Poverty is both a personal issue and a public issue. A community is as strong as its inhabitants (“A Community”). We often think of childhood discipline in the respect that it takes a village. To further elaborate, it takes a village to influence a strong, prosperous community. However, many people may feel as if it is not their duty to help the poor, that individuals are responsible for their own lot in life. Of course, this should not be the only way of viewing poverty. Surely, the various reasons for poverty also influence the solutions to improving poverty. Moreover, just because someone is living in poverty does not mean that said individual caused the situation or is not trying to correct the situation. In essence, situations sometimes occur that may impart poverty upon individuals, creating circumstances that are out of control for these individuals. With that being said, it is more important than ever to realize that poverty is a public and personal issue that can affect anyone and at any time. Even so, how one deals with the issue usually determines the outcome. Several programs offer assistance when one is affected by poverty, but it is also the individual’s responsibility to seek out these programs and help themselves in overcoming poverty. Ultimately, poverty is a situation that personally affects the entire public community.
In life, some people are dealt an unfair hand. Some people lose their parents at a young age and are unable to bounce back from the removal of that safety net that ensures support and encouragement. Sadly, without the proper tools these individuals are not capable of doing taking care of themselves. Sometimes, people lack the push, even the desire, to overcome depression, hopelessness, and povert...

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...ividuals initially tried to do the right thing by getting a college degree, finding work, getting married, and then having children. Even those who may have done these things, but in a different order, suffer, as well. The most heartbreaking part about poverty is that so much money is in the world, and yet there are still hungry people in the world. Many will disagree, but we are our brother’s keeper. And, of course, one’s brother does not have to be blood related. With that being said, there are times when more should be done to help those who are down on their luck, especially when these individuals are trying to help themselves. Of course, there are times when less should be done when others are not trying to help themselves. Sometimes, the situation of poverty is due to inaction and at other times, the situation of poverty is due to actions beyond one’s control.

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