Ateneo de Zamboanga University

SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL

Religious Studies and Philosophy Department

Ignatian Spirituality Formation 122

Ignatian Leadership and Mission

Performance Task III:

Reflective Analysis

Submitted by:
De Leon, Marielle Mae
Ramos, Fritzie
ABM PRO

Submitted to:
Mr. Jose Lorenzo M Bazan
ISF122 Instructor
 Poverty
Context of poverty

Traditionally, poverty is represented by two main models.

- Absolute poverty is based on self-sufficiency level, the minimum standard of living. A

study by Seebohm Rowntree identified a "poverty line" based on minimum needs. The

Copenhagen Declaration defines absolute poverty as "a state of marked lack of basic

human needs such as food, safe drinking water, sanitation, health, housing, education and

information". It depends not only on income, but also on access to social services.”

- Relative poverty is based on comparing poor people to the rest of society. Peter

Townshend defines poverty as "the lack or inadequacy of the food, amenities, standards,

services, and activities customary or customary in a society."

Poverty, like all needs, is defined in relation to the society in which it occurs.

What people can eat and where they can live depends on the society in which they live. This

does not mean that it is based solely on comparisons with others in the same society. There are

some countries where most of the people are poor. Moreover, social and political relationships

such as gender issues and power relations are an integral part of the experience of poverty. These

problems arise in different societies, poor and rich alike, but they can only be understood in their

social context.

The problem of poverty has been explained in many ways. Pathological explanations

attribute poverty to the characteristics and behaviors of poor people. They include:
 - Individualistic explanations is when poor people are assumed to have been inadequate,

made bad choices, or made lifestyle choices.

- Familial is when poverty is thought to occur within families, and inappropriate behavior

is passed down from generation to generation. (This claim has been thoroughly

researched; it is not true.[6])

- Sub-cultural views is a “culture of poverty” suggests that poor people learn differently

and “adapt” to poverty. The evidence here is ambiguous and highly controversial.

Structural explanations explain poverty in relation to the society in which it occurs. They

include:

Description for each class. Poverty is a consequence of the marginalization of some people in

relation to the economic production process, limiting their life chances.

"Agency" view. Poverty results from the failure of public services. inequality. Poverty results

from inequalities in social structures that lead to denial of opportunities and perpetuation of

disadvantage. Examples include income, wealth, race, and gender inequality.

People struggle with decisions every day with every action they need to take. Do they

have money for a full tank of gas in the car going to work? What should they do 100 pesos in the

last 3 days to feed a family of 4? Where can they get free help and support at no cost? How can

they reduce costs to make the income they have by payday? Would they like to cool the house or

eat today? got a grocery package but no money for cooking fuel. The levels of stress that each
person is under, greatly increases. They cannot concentrate at work, leading to issues with their

performance which can then lead to fears about losing their job. They become socially isolated due

to not having any spare funds to join in any social events or activities (e.g. lunch with friends, going to the

pub, visiting relatives who don’t stay nearby). People may perceive them as not wanting to engage at the

very time when they need support the most. People may be tempted to turn to crime to provide for their

family - “Poverty is the mother of all crime”. Parents go without food and essentials to make sure that

their children and those they support are able to have what they need. Children and young people are

bullied at school due to not having the newest phone, or sports gear or laptops / mobile devices. Life

becomes so much of a struggle that often the only way to escape can be suicide. Poverty has negative

impacts on children's health, social, emotional and cognitive development, behavior and educational

outcomes. Children born into poverty are more likely to experience a wide range of health problems,

including poor nutrition, chronic disease and mental health problems.

When it comes to the ethical principles of the catholic teachings, Preferential Option for

the Poor, A basic moral test is how our most vulnerable members are faring. In a society

marred by deepening divisions between rich and poor, our tradition instructs us to put the

needs of poor and vulnerable people first. The Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers. The

economy must serve people, not the other way around. Work is more than a way to make a

living; it is a form of continuing participation in God’s creation. If the dignity of work is to be

protected, then the basic rights of workers must be respected—the right to productive work, to

decent and fair wages, to the organization and joining of unions, to private property, and to

economic initiative.

To solve or reduce poverty we firmly believe that poverty reduction is both something

governments need to do and individuals need to do. We need a combination of responsible

politics and responsible behavior. Second, while much can be done to reduce poverty in the
United States, I advocate focusing on her three priorities: Get a good education, don't have

children until you're married, and work full time. Governments should expect people to make a

genuine effort to uphold each of these norms. If so, the government should reward such behavior

by ensuring that those who follow the rules do not become poor. Analysis done by Brookings

shows that those who follow these rules are much less likely to be poor than those who do not.

Third, one of the most effective means of ensuring access to quality education for all is to

provide very high quality early childhood education for all children from low-income families.

Many believe that preschool education only affects young children. In fact, both neuroscientific

evidence and carefully conducted program evaluations show that preschool experiences have

long-term effects and that more children grow up to graduate from high school, enter college,

and become a graduate. Shows that it may be the most cost-effective way to help you earn more

as an adult aged -12. The federal government can further this goal by funding states willing to

invest in quality early childhood education for people in low-income communities from age 1.

Fourth, many teens and young adults have children before they are married and before they are

ready to be good parents. In my view, the solution to this problem lies in the larger culture –

parents, media, religious groups, and important adult behavior – as well as changes in

government policy itself. However, governments have also had some success with previous cuts

by providing resources to those engaged in this fight in the non-government sector and by

ensuring that their own policies do not inadvertently encourage children out of wedlock. You can

help by supporting a program that does. Finally, encouraging and rewarding work is also very

important.
 REFERENCES:

https://www.brookings.edu/testimonies/solutions-to-poverty/

https://ccsww.org/about-us/catholic-social-teaching/#:~:text=In%20a%20society

%20marred%20by,poor%20and%20vulnerable%20people%20first.&text=The

%20economy%20must%20serve%20people,continuing%20participation%20in%20God's

%20creation.

https://www.dumgal.gov.uk/media/23593/Factsheet-Causes-and-Effects-of-Poverty/pdf/

0125-20_Causes_and_Effects_of_poverty.pdf?m=637775983227400000

http://www.spicker.uk/social-policy/poverty.htm