In the upcoming posts, I will look at ways to defeat generational poverty. I plan to share current research and anecdotes of individuals that have broken the poverty cycle. My concern is that although gains have been made in America since the ‘60s, the percentage of individuals living in poverty has been increasing following the turn of the century. Globally, gains have been made as well, but almost half the world’s population — 3.4 billion people — still struggle to meet basic needs according to the World Bank.
If we want to live in a safer world, then we must address the issue of poverty that results too often in crime, teenage pregnancy, drug addiction, depression, malnutrition, obesity, truancy, and low academic achievement, along with emotional, physical, and psychological problems.
I’ll use two definitions of poverty. The first is, the state or condition of having little or no money, goods, or means of support, which is the most widely accepted one. The second is, the state of being inferior in quality or insufficient in amount, as in “the poverty of one’s imagination.” My focus with the latter, is on what I call, #psychological poverty- a mindset of ignorance, a belief system that keeps one in bondage.
This to me is extremely detrimental because it has to do with human perception. For example, one person may perceive that they can’t escape an impoverished lifestyle, whereas someone else in the same circumstances, is able to amass tools to do so. I want to focus on the tools that allow individuals to overcome poverty.
People use the term, birdbrain to describe someone who is annoyingly stupid and shallow. I’m not sure of where it originated or why, but if you take a look at this video, you will see that birds are quite intelligent. This crow in an impoverished situation figured out an ingenious way to survive and thrive.
I invite those who are concerned about the next generation and what type of world we will leave to them to contribute to this discussion and the steps that I will lay out to end poverty. I want to focus on the psychological causes, and how individuals can use their minds to overcome poverty like this bird did.
In other words, I want to focus on how we can teach someone to fish, as opposed to giving them fish. Please note, I’m not advocating for the end of social welfare programs. I simply want to look at ways we can empower individuals to do for self. Please join me by contributing any innovative ideas on how to break the #cycle of poverty in these upcoming posts.
Of his fullness, all we have received. John 1:16 1599 Geneva Bible (GNV)
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