Poverty ( Archived) (21)

Is poverty an absolute or a relative concept ? Just asking because while listening to the radio today I heard a claim that 10% of Irish children live in poverty. I'm afraid I was incredulous to say the least, and I'd very much like to know how this was measured.

For me poverty means not being able to feed oneself, nor clothe oneself, nor have a home to sleep in - i.e. it's very much an absolute. I certainly don't see hundred's of thousands of kids starving to death on the streets each day.

Taking things (sarcastically) to extremes; if it's a relative concept does that simply mean that not having an ipod, or a 40" lcd tv in your bedroom, imply that you are impoverished ?

Relative poverty appears to me to be just an attitude, a state of mind. And I wouldn't call that poverty at all, not in the real and literal sense of the word, so I would certainly dispute the assertion that 10% of Irish kids are impoverished.

Any opinions on this ?

This is a hot button topic for me, and a huge issue I have with a lot of people in many countries.

I’ve heard statistics as bizarre as “1 out of 6 children in America are living in poverty.” and then I turn around and hear a statistic that says “79% of Americans own more than one computer.”

The truth of the matter is, people simply aren’t as poverty stricken as they’d like to believe.

I can’t stand to hear someone whining about how ever-so poverty stricken they are, when they have televisions, cable, internet access, a car, 2 stereo systems, an ipod, brand name clothing, Xbox 360,
Here’s an idea. If you can’t afford a hot meal and a roof over your head, sell your blasted toys!

People are so attached to their material possessions and electronics it makes me ill. Some of these people who claim to be living in poverty… I’d give anything to see them survive for a week living under a bridge eating handouts from a church.

Well that's just it, what exactly are the basic things they should be getting ? Other than food and shelter I fail to see what else For example, education, in Ireland at least, is pretty much a given. Kids don't need tons of toys and the like to prove your love to them. I think that's only trying to convince yourself that you're great. So I'm just left wondering ?

I think that what has happpened in these more affluent times is that the line between needs/wants have become blurred.


I constantly here the cry 'But Mam I NEED it'from my kids but I always sit them down and ask if they really NEED it or just WANT it.

That's pretty much what I think myself. I'm willing to change my mind but all I see are assertions and no evidence (I'm a big fan of evidence me !).

I'm perfectly happy to live an ascetic lifestyle myself if needs be and I don't need anything other than the basics to be content. I'm a great admirer of nomads, eg Sami or the Evenk, and I doubt they would call themselves impoverished, so is this concept of poverty just a 'western' 'capitalist' thing ?

AND MOST OF THE PEOPLE AND COUNTRIES ARE ISOLATED BCOS OF THE POVERTY.AND THE POVERTY ALSO CREATED BY THE GOD. SO IT'S A NATURAL THING....

Agreed once more My nephew seems happier playing with cardboard boxes than the actual toys that came in them. I have to say I disagree with any advertising aimed at kids and think it should be banned. But that's another days rant