Examples Of Poverty In Ordinary People

1561 Words4 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Success linked to money

“The real measure of your wealth is how much you’d be worth if you lost all your money.” (unknown). All families are not perfect, they all have problems that they struggle with daily, they all go through tough times that cause unhappiness, but the thought that these factors have no affect on rich people is completely untrue. In Judith Guest’s Ordinary People and Jo Goodwin Parker’s “What is Poverty” both address how two families relationships, happiness and daily struggles are affected by the amount of money they have, which shows that the more money a person has does not necessarily make that person happier. In this world the stereotypical thought is that the more money one has the better off they are, although they might look good from …show more content…

Calvin is starting to think about how he is getting drunk much more often and he isnt as happy as he used to be. “He has noted this about himself lately: that he drinks too much when they go out. Because drinking helps. It has gotten him through many evenings, either deadening the pain or raising him above it to where small events seem pleasurable and worth recording. It isn 't likely that this will happen tonight”. (Guest 59-60) Calvin is talking about how he is getting drunk and how he has noticed it has been happening much more often. Even though he grew up in an Evangelical home and is very proud of where he is at in life right now, he is realizing that his life is not as great as he thought it was. He is not as happy as he used to be. Even though he has everything materialistically, he is still not happy. He is so unhappy to that he has to drink to get through his life, he is just now starting to realize that is a problem. The mom in What is Poverty is thinking about what the future looks like for her kids. “Poverty is looking into a black future. Your children won 't play with my boys. They will turn to other boys who steal to get what they want. I can already see them behind the bars of their prison instead of behind the bars of my poverty. Or they will turn to the freedom of alcohol or drugs, and find themselves enslaved. And my daughter? At best, there is for her a life like mine.” (Parker) The mom in What is Poverty is sad thinking about her children 's future. She knows that because of her, her children do not have a bright future like many other kids do. Her children do not go to school, her children do not have friends, and she sees that her kids are going to grow up to be in the same position as her. Not only is this mom not happy right now but she is also not happy about the future

Show More
Related

  • Johnnie Roberts's Article 'Luxury Shame'

    542 Words  | 2 Pages

    The article “Luxury Shame,” written by Johnnie Roberts describes how and why the rich are scaling back on their extravagant expenditures. Initially, I was annoyed and shocked at how the very rich were assimilating their unfamiliar experiences of “recessionary times,” with those that experienced the emotions of poverty. Roberts explains the ostentatious life of multimillionaire Michael Hirtenstein, who would routinely and openly show off his profitable real estate collection. After the economy took a turbulent downfall, Hirstenstein and other wealthy Americans began to feel the shame or embarrassment of flaunting their wealth. Despite the “halt” to the economy, Hirstenstein became frugal with his money, even though he could have easily bought whatever he wanted.

    Read More

  • Comparative Analysis Of 'Rich Kids' By Judah And The Lion

    327 Words  | 1 Pages

    When we are little, we all dream of having big fancy houses, lavish cars and everything else that money can buy. However, we find that when people have this kind of lifestyle they are often broken and wanting a kind of life that you cant purchase. “Rich Kids” by Judah and the Lion, describes a life of wealth but not in the money sense. They talk of how we spend most of life trying to become rich and live these extravagant lives, when those material things will never bring us real joy. Mme Loisel wasn't the richest lady, but she had enough. She also had a husband who cared deeply for her and would do anything too see her desires met. However, later in the story she finds that money can only bring her joy for a short time, and then

    Read More

  • The Millionaire Next Door By William Danko And Thomas J. Stanley

    1507 Words  | 4 Pages

    The Millionaire Next Door written by William Danko and Thomas J. Stanley illustrates the misconception of high luxury spenders in wealthy neighborhoods are considered wealthy. This clarifies that American’s who drive expensive cars, and live in lavish homes are not millionaires and financially independent. The authors show the typical millionaire are one that is frugal, and disciplined. Their cars are used, and their suits were purchased at a discount. As we read the book from cover to cover are misconceptions start to fade. The typical millionaire is very frugal in all endeavors and finds the best discounts possible. A budget is implemented daily, monthly, and annually for a typical millionaire. They live by the budget and are goal oriented. Living well below their means is crucial for a millionaire, and discovering ways to allocate time and money more efficiently. The typical millionaire next door is different than the majority of America presumes. Let’s first off mention what it is not. The typical millionaire is surprisingly not the individual with the lavish house worth a million dollars, owning multiple expensive cars, a boat, expensive clothes, and ultimately living lavishly. The individual is frugal and often looks for discounts for consumable goods. The book illustrates the typical millionaire in one simple word: frugal. It is shocking to believe that this is true, but it does make sense. To achieve financial independence is inherently more satisfying and important than accumulating wealth. According to the book the majority of these millionaires portray characteristics of being sacrificial, disciplined, persistent and frugal. In the book it states, “Being frugal is the cornerstone of wealth-building. Yet far too often th...

    Read More

  • How Does Socioeconomic Status Influence Success?

    1445 Words  | 3 Pages

    With no strong supporting evidence, some people believe those who make an honest living as members of the working and middle class are actually happier. Menezes, a world famous blogger, preached, “you are rich when you have peace of mind, love flowing through you and satisfaction and close friends and family” (p.2). This source would not be credible, however, she is a primary source who knows what it is like to live in poverty. She believes she is at an advantage over those who have “wealth beyond your basic needs and few luxuries”

    Read More

  • Analysis Of The Millionaire Next Door

    769 Words  | 2 Pages

    The Millionaire Next Door gives us an eye opening view into the lives of millionaires and their life styles. Normally we have the impression that most millionaires are the ones who live the most visible wealthy lifestyle, drive the fastest cars and have the big houses on the lake. The Millionaire Next Door looked into these people's lives and we come to find that most of them live the same life we do. One of the main points of the book is how Millionaires live well below their means, they also believe that financial independence is more important then displaying high social status. The book also focuses on how most millionaires are self made and not wealthy from their prior generation.

    Read More

  • Why Is A Large Income Important In The Great Gatsby

    857 Words  | 2 Pages

    Jane Austen once said, “A large income is the best recipe for happiness I ever heard of.” While some may agree with this statement, I wholeheartedly disagree and find this assertion to be false for a plethora of reasons. Not only does this quote challenge the overall theme of what is truly worth loving in life in Leo Tolstoy’s “How Much Land Does a Man Need,” but it also demonstrates the unfortunate perspective that an overwhelming number of people have throughout the world today. Pahom, the protagonist in Tolstoy’s story, believed that having an abundance of land would make him happy and allow him to live a better, more comfortable life. The outcome of this story proves otherwise. Not to mention, other literary works, in addition to Leo Tolstoy’s parable, stress the fact that money is not the key to happiness such as The Great Gatsby by Scott Fitzgerald. Money and materialistic items can only bring so much happiness to one’s life. Love, however, is the

    Read More

  • The Help Quote Analysis

    958 Words  | 2 Pages

    1) One of my favorite quotes from The Help By:Kathryn Stockett Aibileen Clark states "They ain't rich folks. Rich folks don't try so hard."The reason being is when your born into a higher society than others you don’t feel need to try as hard as the people who weren't born into that kind of lifestyle.

    Read More

  • Examples Of Insular Poverty

    141 Words  | 1 Pages

    Insular poverty is an “island” of people who are all equally in poverty. In downtown San Diego, there is a concentrated area of homeless people. This is the “island” of poverty. They are all affected by an indistinguishable cause: homelessness. Another example of insular poverty would be The Bronx in New York City. New York is one of the top 10 richest cities in America, but The Bronx is considered one of the poorest Congressional Districts in America. This cannot be explained by looking at one person living in The Bronx, but explained by explained looking at the whole “island”. In addition to these two areas, is the 5th ward in Houston, Texas. The population is made up of hundreds of children with substance abusing parents and home to minorities

    Read More

  • Socioeconomic Hardships

    343 Words  | 1 Pages

    It's been hard getting enough money for my classes and supplies, but some of the socioeconomic hardships I've gone through is having my mom getting laid off from her job, losing my stepdad along with our house. A few years ago my mom along with everyone else at the company she was working at got let go and had nowhere to work. My mom and stepdad got a house together, but he died about a year later and ever since then things have been hard for the both of us. Around the same time, her arthritis started getting worse so she had to make the decision to retire and my mom being the amazing person she is; did everything she could to keep the house. A few weeks later she was able to find a caregiving job, taking care of the elderly and I ended up

    Read More

  • Speech on Happiness

    556 Words  | 2 Pages

    All of us want to make money to gain some status, some comfort and some luxurious. This money has brought; is bringing; and will bring so many differences between some of you and me. These differences will be later named as differences between the rich and the poor. If I ask you ‘Do you know what is happiness? You would thrillingly and pleasingly answer me YES, OF Course Then lets share some examples of the happiest man. One would experience happiness when a leads a luxurious life. One may also experience happiness when he had expanded his business almost across the globe. One may also experience happiness when he had his meal in the most famous and expensive hotel. One may also experience happiness when he attends honorable parties.

    Read More

  • Immoral Materialism

    610 Words  | 2 Pages

    The desire to be rich is part of every American’s dream, but does one change when one becomes rich? Can one be happy and wealthy? Just as the characters in the novel The Great Gatsby, written by Scott Fitzgerald, people believe that money will buy them a happy life. In the almanacks of Poor Richard, quite a different approach at happiness is presented. Poor Richard writes about money as just a supplement to a wise man, that being knowledgeable and having a trade are far more respectable that inheriting money from a relative. Contrary to Poor Richard’s works, the prevalent aspirations of modern Americans are better represented in Fiztgerald’s work The Great Gastby, which shows the ignorance of the rich, the adulterous morality of people, and the correct way to pursue happiness.

    Read More

  • Wealth Vs Wealth

    1512 Words  | 4 Pages

    It is easier for wealthy people to pay for their needs, such as health care and dental care. If any abrupt situation approaches dealing with their health, a wealthy person will be financially stable to pay and fix it. According to an article, "Happiness Around The World: Is There More To It Than Money?" by Bozionelos, Nikos, and Ioannis Nikolaou, “One would expect that money is more important when it helps meet basic needs, and this should be especially true in poorer nations. However, as already seen, the relationship between income and general life satisfaction was mainly explained by whether material aspirations (such as buying luxury goods) could be fulfilled.” In other words, one’s concept of happiness can vary from nation to nation. For example, people living in poor nations and having a low income tend to be satisfied by having just enough to meet their necessities. While, on the other hand, people with higher income tend to be satisfied if they have enough to buy luxury goods. Being wealthy does not lead one to happiness; it can help some people to obtain happiness, but it can also lead others to have unwanted experiences. Having a minimum amount of money is necessary to be happy. Having the minimum amount of money to pay bills, have medical assistance, buy groceries, and clothing is considered as the basics needed for one to be happy. Money is a tool that can help a person obtain objects that can help him or her to have a comfortable life. However, money should not become the reason why a person is happy. Happiness comes within a person as a human being and money will never replace a friend, nor a loved

    Read More

  • Four Explanations Of Poverty

    1678 Words  | 4 Pages

    There are four ideas for the explanation of poverty. One of the first explanations is to blame the individual. Due to the decisions an individual has made, they have driven themselves into impoverishment. In addition to this, the idea argues individuals who are poor are that way because of their poor personal characteristics. People are responsible for themselves being poor because there are plenty of resources out there for the individual to survive. This includes minimum wage, access to public education and public resources, and assisting programs for the impoverished such as welfare. This idea argues that people are responsible for their own futures and success. If they do not put enough effort in, they will stay in poverty. We are within

    Read More

  • Analysis Of Rags To Riches

    1081 Words  | 3 Pages

    Sophie Tucker, comedian, once said, “I’ve been rich and I’ve been poor, rich is better” (Tucker). Today, many people in our American culture dream of becoming rich. Living a life with unlimited income, that is the goal, for most. Some believe that money isn’t everything, and that there are more things to life than being wealthy. Those people have never been rich. Of course, there are other things in life that are important; for instance, family. Nonetheless, it is extremely difficult to picture someone saying that they wish they weren’t rich. People would much rather have an abundance of wealth rather than live a life paycheck to paycheck. It is less stressful knowing where the next meal is coming from, and there is a huge sense of security in being financially stable. However, when it comes to something that is rich in content, it can almost be too much. For example, someone would describe a food as rich, meaning high in seasoning, fat, oil, or sweetness.

    Read More

  • The Theme Of Materialism In 'The Rocking Horse Winner'

    782 Words  | 2 Pages

    Instead they rely completely on money to be happy. People often do not appreciate what they have, and they feel like they deserve better, and they complain instead of making the best of what they have. It is not necessary to be rich to enjoy life. Often those who have everything tend to live miserably. People can become too attached to money to the point that they forget about enjoying life and caring for their family. The theme of materialism is shown throughout the story of “The Rocking Horse Winner” to explain how being too attached to money can ruin people’s lives.

    Read More

More about Examples Of Poverty In Ordinary People

Open Document