Recently, I read an article which stated that 19% of the world's Indigenous/Aboriginal peoples are considered as "extreme poor", but do they consider themselves to be such? Who/what determines that? Is it because their lifestyles are minimalistic, in comparison to the rest of the world?
Is someone 'poor' solely because others say so about the way that one looks and lives, or is that determined by how one thinks and feels?
How is poverty defined? Poverty is about not having enough money to meet basic needs including food, clothing and shelter. However, poverty is more, much more than just not having enough money. The World Bank Organization describes poverty in this way: “Poverty is hunger. Poverty is lack of shelter.
Coldheaven: How is poverty defined? Poverty is about not having enough money to meet basic needs including food, clothing and shelter. However, poverty is more, much more than just not having enough money. The World Bank Organization describes poverty in this way: “Poverty is hunger. Poverty is lack of shelter.
What if to meet those basic needs they have to travel for miles, but that's how they've always done it and they think it's normal...
Selenite: What if to meet those basic needs they have to travel for miles, but that's how they've always done it and they think it's normal...
Well probably it’s not so bad poverty then if they can get all they need but just have to walk further for it. After all there are people who just can’t get anything at all that they need.
If the Indigenous people are happy with how they live, and believe that their needs are being met through their own 'natural' efforts, then they may not consider themselves 'poor' at all. In fact, they may consider themselves rich. This is probably because the things that they value are different from the things that the rest of the world values.
Didi7: If the Indigenous people are happy with how they live, and believe that their needs are being met through their own 'natural' efforts, then they may not consider themselves 'poor' at all. In fact, they may consider themselves rich. This is probably because the things that they value are different from the things that the rest of the world values.
In such a case, I would say that poverty is really a state of Mind.
Didi7: If the Indigenous people are happy with how they live, and believe that their needs are being met through their own 'natural' efforts, then they may not consider themselves 'poor' at all. In fact, they may consider themselves rich. This is probably because the things that they value are different from the things that the rest of the world values.
Selenite: What if to meet those basic needs they have to travel for miles, but that's how they've always done it and they think it's normal...
I'm sure it feels normal to them and speaking objectively that must be normal compared to popping down to tesco. Popping down to tesco is really weird when you think about it, it might be comfortable but it's certainly not normal. We might prefer it but the rich modern world is really weird in reality.
We don't even realise how spoiled we have become. And the worst is that we do apply our own experience on people who have little or nothing to do with our lifestyle and cultures. General statements are a way to stroke our consciousness as we do not know everything and we are not always right as we believe we are. Someone who has to hunt his own food might look at you as a total looser for not doing it yourself. Someone with loads of money may be laughing at you for trying to excuse your lack of ability to make money... Sooo...
ChesneyChrist: I'm sure it feels normal to them and speaking objectively that must be normal compared to popping down to tesco. Popping down to tesco is really weird when you think about it, it might be comfortable but it's certainly not normal. We might prefer it but the rich modern world is really weird in reality.
I don't like 'popping down to Tescos' or any other supermarket. I buy most of my food from local people and shops...
Ten_of_cupss: We don't even realise how spoiled we have become. And the worst is that we do apply our own experience on people who have little or nothing to do with our lifestyle and cultures. General statements are a way to stroke our consciousness as we do not know everything and we are not always right as we believe we are. Someone who has to hunt his own food might look at you as a total looser for not doing it yourself. Someone with loads of money may be laughing at you for trying to excuse your lack of ability to make money... Sooo...
It’s a case of “what you’ve never had , you never miss” . When most of us were growing up , mobile phones weren’t invented, but the majority of people couldn’t do without one now !
Youcannow: It’s a case of “what you’ve never had , you never miss” . When most of us were growing up , mobile phones weren’t invented, but the majority of people couldn’t do without one now !
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Is someone 'poor' solely because others say so about the way that one looks and lives, or is that determined by how one thinks and feels?
What say you?