Author Question: Individual explanations of poverty are easier to accept than structural explanations? (Read 814 times)

Hawke

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 679
My sociology homework says that it's easier for the Average American to accept individual explanations of poverty than structural explanations. What does that even mean and why is that?



Sandstorm

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 268
It will help if you have some understanding of the distinction between an individual and a structural explanation.  We're dealing with causes... What causes poverty?  Individual explanations could include traits of individuals who are poor.  Can you think of some?.. Hint:  Being lazy.  Structural explanations involve aspects of the society that can cause someone to be poor.  Hint:  Segregated housing & neighborhood schools..  Some parts of town are composed of cheap housing which causes poor and minority people to get concentrated there.  The kids who live in those neighborhoods all go to neighborhood schools which, because real estate taxes are low, don't have a lot of money to hire good teachers or to buy computers and other materials.  The kids end up with a lousy education which means they can't get good jobs and become the next generation of poor people.  Can you see why the two explanations aren't equally easy to understand?  Plus we get to blame poor people for their poverty with the individual explanation.  It takes us off the hook about trying to do something about it.  Regards.
« Last Edit: Jul 16, 2013 by Celeste »



Related Topics

Need homework help now?

Ask unlimited questions for free

Ask a Question
 

Did you know?

There are major differences in the metabolism of morphine and the illegal drug heroin. Morphine mostly produces its CNS effects through m-receptors, and at k- and d-receptors. Heroin has a slight affinity for opiate receptors. Most of its actions are due to metabolism to active metabolites (6-acetylmorphine, morphine, and morphine-6-glucuronide).

Did you know?

The newest statin drug, rosuvastatin, has been called a superstatin because it appears to reduce LDL cholesterol to a greater degree than the other approved statin drugs.

Did you know?

Serum cholesterol testing in adults is recommended every 1 to 5 years. People with diabetes and a family history of high cholesterol should be tested even more frequently.

Did you know?

The human body's pharmacokinetics are quite varied. Our hair holds onto drugs longer than our urine, blood, or saliva. For example, alcohol can be detected in the hair for up to 90 days after it was consumed. The same is true for marijuana, cocaine, ecstasy, heroin, methamphetamine, and nicotine.

Did you know?

Between 1999 and 2012, American adults with high total cholesterol decreased from 18.3% to 12.9%

For a complete list of videos, visit our video library