poverty and social structure
Although the United States is one of the richest countries in the world many of it's people sleep in the streets, dig through garbage cans to find food, and carry all that they own in this world on their backs or in shopping carts. These people are known as the homeless. Recently I had the opportunity of helping, and at the same time being educated by one of the members of this unfortunate group. I was able to experience first hand how a homeless person thinks and feels through an intimate means of communications popularly known as writing notes. Why writing notes? Because the individual that I invited into my home and fed was both deaf and mute. He was male, middle aged, and of African American decent. Needless to say it was a "conversation" unlike any I have ever had. In this paper, I plan to detail the observations I made during our interaction, specifically addressing how social structures form a key element in both the lives of the affluent and indigent. I met Reggie through some of my friends. He was homeless and in need of help. One night he knocked on my door and wrote on his piece of paper, "may I come in?" I nodd
As he ate, I asked him about himself and how he had arrived at the position he was currently in. Why did Reggie find himself in this impoverish state, and why was he unable to climb out of it? I believe it is largely because of social structures, namely his networks. These networks prescribe life chances, the options that will be available to him/her, and the resources that he/she may call upon. Coming from a low-income family, Reggie did not have the option to receive an education that would allow him to learn to overcome his genetic flaws and communicate effectively. Although Reggie began to move upward upon moving to Utah, he discovered that even the people with the love of Christ could not be of absolute help. This usually means an advanced degree or special experience or training. Social structures form a key element in the lives of those that pertain to all classes and are a major source of class stability. Reggie attended church on an active basis. To move up in employment in our society one must have the qualifications of the job. Equity theory explains this by claiming that people are most satisfied with a relationship when the ratio between benefits and contributions is similar for both partners. Obtaining employment requires going through the interviewing process. We began with a couple of trivial questions and then I asked if he would like something to eat. The upward movement of individuals into higher classes is largely determined by characteristics of those in their networks. He had a car and so he packed his few belongings and came out to live with a people "who had the love of Christ and would be more accepting.
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