How well does this describe prevailing attitudes towards lone parents and others in poverty?
The following excerpt is from Charles Dickens book "A Christmas Carol" and features a conversation between Ebeneezer Scrooge and some charity workers collecting for the poor.
The book itself was penned in the 1800′s in England. For those that don’t know, a Union Workhouse was somewhere anyone without funds could go, and in exchange for 15 hours of labor, they were given short rations and a bed. Some people went voluntarily, others deemed unable to support themselves, such as orphans, were committed into them.
Here is the quote:
"’At this festive season of the year, Mr Scrooge,’ said the gentleman, taking up a pen, ‘it is more than usually desirable that we should make some slight provision for the Poor and destitute, who suffer greatly at the present time. Many thousands are in want of common necessaries; hundreds of thousands are in want of common comforts, sir.’
‘Are there no prisons?"
‘Plenty of prisons,’ said the gentleman, laying down the pen again.
‘And the Union workhouses.’ demanded Scrooge. ‘Are they still in operation?’
‘Both very busy, sir.’
‘Oh. I was afraid, from what you said at first, that something had occurred to stop them in their useful course,’ said Scrooge. ‘I’m very glad to hear it.’
‘Under the impression that they scarcely furnish Christian cheer of mind or body to the multitude,’ returned the gentleman, ‘a few of us are endeavouring to raise a fund to buy the Poor some meat and drink, and means of warmth. We choose this time, because it is a time, of all others, when Want is keenly felt, and Abundance rejoices. What shall I put you down for?’
‘Nothing!’ Scrooge replied.
‘You wish to be anonymous?’
‘I wish to be left alone,’ said Scrooge. ‘Since you ask me what I wish, gentlemen, that is my answer. I don’t make merry myself at Christmas and I can’t afford to make idle people merry. I help to support the establishments I have mentioned-they cost enough; and those who are badly off must go there.’
‘Many can’t go there; and many would rather die.’
‘If they would rather die,’ said Scrooge, ‘they had better do it, and decrease the surplus population."
How well does this describe prevailing attitudes towards lone parents and others in poverty?
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Filed under: single parent support
It is the perfect representation. I wish you would send it to the Letters to the Editor of the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Washington DC, and Boston, Massechutches.
The poor do not have much Special Interest Power in Congress, the needy cannot take slum landlords and greedy commercial developers to court for the violations and laws they are ignoring.
ACORN is one of the few that help folks on a grassrootsl level. Look how they were berated. The thing about ACORN is they are open to the political process of every party.
Broke people don’t have energy mogouls knocking our door down to give us donations and other pretty’s. When utility companies raise rates to 18% of a person’s wages, there is no one he can go to.
When an employer abuses a poor person, the worker is either fired or quits from the problems, that worker can go 12 weeks to 8 months awaiting a decision from Workforce Services. The whole time telling you, just keep turning in your claims,…
Most lower income people are 1 or 2 paychecks away from homelessness. They are looked on with scorn. The frightening part of this is the middle class will soon find themselves down here with the scruffies.
The positive outcome of the failure of the Big Greed, will be more respect for the down and out – in lu-lu world
In general, no. But I do think this is the attitude a few have of of the many poor and an attitude many have of a few poor.
In all honesty, I am the later. As a teacher I see many, many parents. I believe the large majority are doing what they can. I believe most are doing their best with what they have and the knowledge they have been given by their friends, family and professionals (doctors, teachers, etc.). However, there are some (not all single) who truly make little to no effort to better their situation. I don’t care if they make this choice on their own, but it is very frustrating when you see the impact of this on their children.
It´s interesting that even back then that overpopulation was recognized as being the main problem that the world faces. If this can be solved then all other problems fade into insignificance.
As to people being in poverty there is little excuse for it in the Western World,except if these people make it a personal choice.Of course this is not true of Third World countries.
Many of the poor deserve to be poor because of bad decisions they made in their life. Dropping out of school, drug addictions, taking no personal responsibilty, ect. The hard issue is do we allow children to suffer because the parents are idiots. The decision to get married, have children then get a divorce are all personal decisions that I feel that should not take money from my family to support others poor decisions.
The children do need to be supported since they should not suffer because the parents are morons.
It describes it very well. A lot of people have the attitude toward poor people that they chose the circumstances they’re in and are doing nothing about it. It’s never that simple.
It describes it quite well. When Dickens wrote this piece it was during the little ice age when people, especially the destitute and poor, were literally freezing to death in the elements. He wanted to show the selfishness of people and hoped that this book may bring some people out of their greediness and start caring for those less fortunate.
it’s still true today.
here in the US, we are bailing out large corporations and helping the middle-class with foreclosures? Why? it is not "personal choice" but rather the economy -is the thinking.
baloney!
conditions (bad economy, medical problem, lead paint leading to learnig disabilities, dried rat feces leading to asthma, mental illness, etc.) outside our control often cause poverty but since we live in a society that highly values individualism, we blame the individual (except of course these days, when we blame the economy — that happens only when the victims are middle class or higher though).
we still stigmatize those living in poverty. up to 50% of homeless women have fled domestic violence. where are the feminists to support their cause? why cant the DV field and homelessness mix services?
homeless live, on average, until age 50, yet men are complaining about their shorter life spans.
the homeless are the poorest of the poor, yet we spend more money on prisoners and their re-entry into society than we do on homeless people who have committed no crime.
Many things contribute to poverty, with personal choices being just one part of a larger picture. True, some have made bad decisions. Others have found themselves in circumstances and do the best they can with what they have.
Good jobs are getting harder to find, and older workers generally don’t have the technical training to compete in the job market. Even mediocre jobs have a long line of applicants.
The cost of living rises, the pays remain relatively the same. Inflation affects all of us. Even working people need assistance with utilities and food.
Imho, poor people have been stereotyped as drug users, drunks and losers. This is not an accurate representation. Many low-income people get stuck in a cycle of dead-end jobs.
I am currently working below my capabilities and usual wage level, because of the current economic reality. I have used food stamps. I have taken in boarders to offset the cost of rent. I shop at thrift stores and drive a 16 year old, 4 cly. Chevy.
The point is, I think some people ( not all ) fail to realize that they could slide down the economic scale themselves, and they may not see all the possible causes. This creates a lack of empathy for the less fortunate.
Donna said it well.
I would just like to add that its possible to do all the right things; a good education, etc – only to become disabled. Boom! A car accident, or a progressive deterioration with one of the many "mystery diseases" (like Parkinsons, CFS, whatever) that we never pay much attention to – until we ourselves are diagnosed with it. Then your whole world falls apart. I live in a highly developed country yet have gone hungry many times, and almost became homeless as a direct result of the poverty I endured (and continue to endure) as a disabled person. Of course hunger and hopelessness and abject terror only makes the whole ‘disability experience’ WORSE than it needs to be, but nobody cares. Its not their problem and what’s wrong with you that you just don’t get a job??? Boy oh boy has this ‘trip’ been humbling. But I’m disgusted and very angry too.