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By Suzzy Dankwah
Poverty is a multidimensional concept that deals with the lack of material resources, opportunities accessibility to necessities required for a decent standard of living. It is mostly characterized by scarcity of income or resources to meet basic needs such as food, shelter, healthcare, education, sanitation etc.
In a broader sense, poverty can be understood as a condition where individuals or communities are unable to achieve a minimum standard of living that is deemed acceptable within a particular society. This condition comes in various forms which include; Income poverty: This form of poverty is the most common within societies and communities which indicates the lack of sufficient money to meet one’s basic needs, individuals or households with very low income are considered to be living in poverty.
Material poverty: This refers to the lack of physical resources such as inadequate housing, transportation services, nutritious foods, good water and access to essential services is classified as material poverty. Social poverty is also classified as one of the major poverty most individuals face it highlights the exclusion of individuals or groups from full participation in society. This will conclude with limited access to education, healthcare, employment opportunities and social networks. Relative poverty: This poverty compares an individual’s standard of living and economic position to the rest of society, it is defined as the median income level within a specific population. Poverty is not merely a lack of financial resources but also a complex interplay of social, economic and political factors that contribute to inequality. The dangers of poverty are numerous and important and has an impact on individuals, families and entire communities in many ways.
The following are the dangers of poverty that need the support of the government and the people who can afford to help those in need. Firstly, Health Risks: Poverty is closely linked to poor health outcomes. Poor individuals with financial instability lack access to quality healthcare, nutritious food, clean or good water and safe living conditions can lead to higher rates of malnutrition, diseases poor health and early death. Secondly, Education Disparities: This means children living in poverty usually face problems of accessing quality education, this can lead to the result of lower academic achievement lack of self-confidence, and limited opportunities for advancement since their parents are facing financial difficulties.
Also Social stigma: when individuals living in poverty face discrimination and stigmatization can have negative effects on their mental health and well-being. This can lead to depression committing suicidal thoughts and other negative thoughts. Again, Family Dynamics: This simply means poverty can strain family relationships and turn one against another due to financial pressures, lack of resources, and stress and can lead to breakdowns in communications, increased conflicts and instability within the family units.
Emotional and psychological impact: The stress of living in poverty, worrying about meeting basic needs and facing constant challenges, loneliness can take a significant toll on mental health. This can also lead to depression, anxiety and other mental health issues. Lastly, the impact on crime rates or high crime rates is one of the major dangers of poverty, research shows a correlation between poverty and higher crime rates. Financial instabilities lead individuals towards criminal activities such as armed robbery, and pickpocketing as a means of survival. In conclusion, these dangers of poverty have become evidence that poverty is a critical social justice issue that requires multifaceted intervention, solutions and support systems from the government.
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