Tackling the myths about poverty and the poor
Whilst reading a piece about recent austerity measures, I came across a link to a recent publication by a collection of church organisations.
The lies we tell ourselves: ending comfortable myths about poverty Quote:
And some highlights, beginning with a little of the intro: Quote:
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And here are a sample of some of the myths covered in the report: Quote:
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The case studies are also very interesting, and set alongside the political rhetoric current in our culture they are powerful. Worth a read. |
Some more snippets:
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The case study: Quote:
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:notworthy
Cheers babbalou. I am not the ideal example of a benefit claimant. 1) because I don't claim benefits 2) because I have an alcohol addiction. But I know many people (or at least I used to) that fall between the cracks. They work hard - as I did. But they can't get the help they need - same here. They are a few breaths away from keeping their heads above water. Ditto. And after all I do get subsidised healthcare. But the actual assistance I get adds up to fuck-all. Never seen a psychologist, seen a psychiatrist once ("No, I don't think you're depressed") no drugs, no CBT, no. I see a counsellor once a week - he's lovely. But he is only trained as a counsellor. He can't prescribe and he can't diagnose. Bye-bye lady, heal yourself. I know things are more difficult in different countries. And I have to admit I think America is one of them. Dwellars no longer online have had really harsh things to say about those who just can't make the grade. On the flip side, other Dwellars have shown levels of compassion I've not seen in this country. Swings and roundabouts. I moan about being poor. I moan full stop. I'd rather be poor than addicted. It's all down to me, I get that. But some help would be nice. It's becoming more and more apparent that I need it. |
Thanks Dana for this thread.
We have the same things going here in the US ... with myths about "work ethic", "Welfare Queens", ... and more recently with "illegal immigration", and now even with "sequestration". |
Yeah, good thread, Dana!
Other myths we have in the US center around foodstamps (now called the SNAP program with benefits issued on a credit type card - NOT stamps). I don't know how many places all over the Internet, the news media and people IRL I've heard tell tall tales about SNAP recipients: *The poor use up all their SNAP benefits buying junk food from the local quick stop store. *Drugs are often purchased using SNAP benefits. (not sure how this would work since the SNAP card rejects any non food purchase). *The poor are given more to spend on food each month than the average middle class family gets to spend on their food. (Oh, right! :rolleyes:) *Alternately, anyone should be able to live on the $30/week that is the true average SNAP benefit for a single person. (Ramen, ramen, ramen and more ramen - yum!) *"I was standing behind a woman who used food stamps to buy (pick one or insert your own choice): an expensive, fancy cake from the store bakery section a cart filled with junk food 6 lobsters and a partridge in a pear tree a dozen sirloin steaks caviar The resentment here over the food stamps/SNAP program is incredible. |
F**k the partridge. I want five gold rings.
And I'm gonna go to UT's shop and sell them for drugs. 'Cos that's what we losers do. You know the weird thing? I forget sometimes how lucky I am. Mum can be a bitch. But threads like this remind me I am privileged. I don't have a fancy car, credit card debts, an expensive habit or children that need to be clothed and fed. I'm lucky, lucky, lucky that I'm not on the streets. And that is solely down to the 'rents. |
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Vicious bastard. |
[snort]
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