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In 1960 s, a discouraging fact came to be known: Between 40 and 50 million Americans were considered to be poor. Consequently, social scientists examined a new notion of the culture of poverty. The culture of poverty did not encompass all poor people by any means. Katz states Rather, it placed in a class by themselves those whose behaviors and values converted their poverty into an enclosed and self-perpetuating world of dependence (The Undeserving Poor) In 1980 s the term underclass appeared as a new way in analyzing poverty. For Michael Katz the mere invention of the underclass in the 1980 s was like irradiation. In a figurative sense it was like a hint of light in the end of long dark tunnel.
The invention of underclass echoes debated concerning the discovery of a culture of poverty. In addition, the concept of the homeless became more prevalent. The homeless became the new issue for public assistance. These factors also played their role in evaluating of alternative theory. As Katz describes the label of the underclass: When they appeared pathetic, they were the homeless; when they seemed menacing, they became the underclass As long as they remained supplicants rather than militants, objects of charity rather than subjects of protest, the homeless became the new deserving poor (The Undeserving Poor) Katz alternative approach in explaining poverty consists in following statement assets must be equally distributed. He emphasized that in nation as rich as America poverty exists just because of a political decision not to redistribute somebody's welfare to poorest.
An unequal asset distribution is an important reason for the existing of poverty because it allows the income to flow beyond individuals and institutions with low income. He argues that because of unequal distribution we in a full measure can observe economic stagnation, a disproportionate rise in low-paying jobs and a declining minimum wage have exacerbated urban poverty. Notable is that fact that he destroys the underclass and the good old categorization of the poor into deserving'' (e. g. , widows) and undeserving'' and makes a conclusion that domestic poverty has always...
been a necessary result of America's distinctive political economy. '' He also states that poverty is inherited and transmitted into the form of cultural mal adaptations. Katz insists that this protective paradigm offered the poor social work and therapy when they needed economic justice and political mobilization. (Undeserving Poor)
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Research essay sample on Culture Of Poverty Undeserving Poor