Introduction
Poverty arises from a multitude of factors that contribute to unbearable and challenging conditions for economic well-being. Social conditions are mainly the dominant cause of poverty and the resulting consequences and threats. Existing social classes result from the unequal distribution of income and the uncoordinated distribution of funds to support the population. The pronounced differences in social well-being lead to discrimination, violence, and crime, as the struggle for resources forces people to commit grave moral acts.
Race and Ethnicity
Demographic factors can determine the predisposition to poverty in terms of the wealth of a country or region’s economy and the presence of marked inequalities. In discussing income disparities and poverty, Haugen (2015) rightly argues that people of color struggle to manage their own lives. Faced with discrimination based on race and culture, people do not have the opportunity to be in an environment of economic well-being. Years of oppression and prejudice have prevented people of color from living out of poverty even as they strive to do so. Although race and ethnicity cannot be changed, they profoundly affect the organization of social classes. Even if people are within the same class, there is a marked difference in income between people of color and whites.
Gender and Age
Other demographic characteristics are gender and age, and there is a bias toward the categorical treatment of women and older people. Discrimination against women stems from years of oppression, lack of rights, and limited educational and work opportunities. The consequence is the reluctance of companies to hire women, including because of prejudice, and women cannot cope with poverty. A similar situation is observed concerning age: when comparing candidates of 30 and 45 years, there is a likelihood that the older one will be rejected. While it can be assumed that older candidates with chronic illnesses are more difficult to provide and support, this does not entitle them to discrimination. Seniors experience financial constraints and barriers because the effects of inflation prevent them from saving and spending wisely.
Schooling
Essential skills and knowledge are imparted in elementary and middle school, where children learn communication and basic knowledge about the structure of familiar things. Unfortunately, schools with better and more in-depth education are not available to all individuals in the same way, so school also affects future career opportunities.
In addition, children from low-income families feel permanently uncomfortable in schools because they worry about appearance and wealth, and learning takes a back seat. School is not always affordable because children and adolescents have to work so that the minimum wage is enough to feed their parents or siblings. Haugen (2015) rightly suggests that it is impossible to worry about anything other than one’s poverty when one is faced with daily survival. The school offers no guarantee that poverty will be resolved and continues to be an oppressive factor.
Conclusion
All demographic factors are connected because discrimination cannot be selective on one basis. Just as black women cannot get good jobs due to lack of education, so do black elderly people who face discrimination. The pressures on the population being observed mean that even with the creation of assistance programs, it is impossible to deal with society’s deeply entrenched stereotypes and prejudices fully. Consequently, social classes continue to be highly segregated, and variability is found even within one group because of the overarching nature of discrimination.
Reference
Haugen, G. (2015). The hidden reason for poverty the world needs to address now [Video]. TED. Web.