One just never knows what is going to happen next.
I hadn't planned to say more about poverty this soon, but the following story was too good, meaning too bad, to pass up.
A report by the Salvation Army shows that myths about poverty are rampant in Canada. Myths are rampant.
I find that incredibly sad. I actually thought Canadians were better informed than that. I guess I am wrong.
More than half of Canadians think a family of four can get by on $30,000 a year, or less. (That's a bit less than £20,000.) A similar number of Canadians believe that if poor people really want to work, "they can always find a job."
I can't believe that. Has nobody heard that unemployment in Canada is up at nine per cent?
Other "delights" in the Salvation Army's report:
• 43 per cent of Canadians agree that "a good work ethic is all you need to escape poverty,"
• 41 per cent believe the poor would "take advantage" of any assistance given to them and "do nothing."
• 23 per cent say poor people are in that position because they're lazy,
• 28 per cent say the poor have "lower moral values."
And so it goes. Myths.
An Army spokesman provided a valuable insight. "I don't think Canadians are mean-spirited. I don't think they are not compassionate," says Andrew Burditt. "Sometimes those of us who don't have problems are far enough removed from the struggles of everyday life that it's too easy for us to say, 'Just get a job.'" I understand that all too well — how easy it is to blame the victim. I think it's time for us to do a collective "reality check."
The Salvation Army says about one Canadian in eleven (9 per cent) is living in poverty. I can well believe that. If anything, I'd say that's a bit low. Certainly it would vary from region to region.
In the meantime, the lives of good Canadians are bedevilled by myths.
Tuesday 26 July 2011
16 comments:
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I'd have to say that as a family of three we are on about the £20,000 level and we wouldn't consider ourselves poor. We have the support of an extended family and community which helps a lot, even if not financially then with child care, donated eggs, jam, garden produce, lifts etc. We don't live extravagantly but we do have the luxury of working for ourselves and the immense benefits of flexibility that brings. I know things can appear vastly different if you have not 'chosen' your life style and live on benefits. I think the problem is there is always one or two that take advantage of the system and then create a bad name for all - as in any group. The majority of the poor walk in the same footsteps as me and you – but have tripped in difficult times without family or community support to help them back up.
ReplyDelete® Lins: Thank you for your comment. This is a complex situation, indeed. For you, the support of community (both extended family and neighbours) is obviously crucial. Actually, it is for all of us. But in city life, where the connections of community are much weaker, life can be more difficult. Thanks for your recognition of some very important issues.
ReplyDeleteI read that report awhile back and thought it was so sad how people percieve the poor.
ReplyDeleteWe have quite a few Canadians working here in the oilfields of West Texas. They are good and well revered people.
ReplyDeleteAnd I hate myths!!
Well Bear who knows how many Canadians they actually surveyed? I don't put much stock into studies such as these. Love Di ♥
ReplyDeleteIt's difficult for many people to understand what another is going through unless they walk that mile in their shoes. It's not always a lack of compassion. In fact, I believe it's rarely compassion and more a matter of being so removed from the situation.
ReplyDelete® Kristy: Good point. Thanks for sharing your perspective.
ReplyDelete® Janie: Glad to know we Canadians are behaving ourselves in your part of Texas. Thanks for the update.
® Diana: Interesting question, Diana. When reputable firms are doing this, they have a way of sorting out the people who make up a statistically significant sample. 19 times out of 20. I'm not going to bet the farm on this, but the outcome is about what I'd expect, based on my life experience. Thanks for sharing the observation.
® Hillary: Yes, I think the problem is the fact that many are "removed from the situation." I guess my question to many of them would be, "When was the last time you tried living on $30,000 a year?" Thanks.
I have been both sides of the fence so I understand what it is to be poor. I'm poor now in a way because since July 2010 I have been unable to get a job. I send off my c.v. but because of my age, nearly 60, I don't often get a reply. Yet the government has decided in its wisdom to make me wait another one year and eight months for my pension, which I have paid into all my working life. I didn't get any warning of this, certainly not enough time to make up the difference. I am bitter about that but it is worse for women of between 53 and 54 over here in England because they will have to wait even longer. Compared to some countries we are lucky. A lot of poverty is comparative. I live in comparative poverty, i.e. I have no income other that what my loved ones give me but I do not live in abject poverty. For that, I am extremely grateful!
ReplyDeleteInsightful post Rob-bear and thank you for your sweet comment on my 'Dylan' post.
So good of you to stop by, Rob, to be present in these days. Much appreciated. Rosaria
ReplyDeleteI think most Americans would say the same thing. Until they're poor.
ReplyDeleteRAWR.
Pearl
® Star: Thanks for your insights. Poverty is relative, as well as a darned nuisance. Sorry to hear of your circumstances. I do hope things get better.
ReplyDelete® Thanks, Rosaria. I hope tomorrow goes well. Difficult day, for sure.
® Thank your, Pearl, for dropping over to visit the Bear. Bear likes company!
I expect many Americans would say the same, unless they understood the situation, and maybe had experienced it.
There are simply not enough jobs to match those who are seeking one, and education is denied to those who need it the most. Only because we are able to fund it can my children go to university. Other, possibly brighter, more able kids can not even dream to improve their circumstances, since we demand such exhuberant fees from them. Extendended families and close communities are virtually non-existant today. I truly fear the gap between rich and poor is set to widen with every passing year. Should this happen, there is chaos facing everyone, especially those sitting in their ivory towers.
ReplyDelete® Shrinky: Love your observation: "not enough jobs to match those who are seeking." Automation and outsorcing. Even in the grocery store, getting people to check out their own groceries instead of having checkout clerks. Fewer and fewer jobs available.
ReplyDeleteThanks.
We raised our two sons on $30,000 a year for many years. I kept telling Hubs we were poor and now i can prove it, even though he kept insisting we were rich compared to the rest of the world. LOL!
ReplyDelete® Brenda Susan: Rich, and poor. You and hubs were both right. There might be a message in that. Hmmmm. Thanks for adding your thoughts.
ReplyDeleteP.S.: I'd say your boys turned out better than "just fine," even if you were poor. Maybe that's where the "rich" comes in.
ReplyDelete