Impact of Poverty on African Individuals - Coursework Example

? Poverty By: Location Introduction The world is comprised of social es that are the rich and the poor. The two classes of individuals can not be missed out in any country or state. This is because the economic status of individuals is not similar; therefore, poverty is an issue of concern to many countries across the world. Poverty can be defined as a state where an individual lacks an amount of wealth that is socially acceptable to the society. This essay aptly examines the topic poverty, its impacts on the lives of individuals in Africa, and how the issue can be tackled by the government to improve living condition of the citizens. Impacts of Poverty on Individuals Poverty has significantly impacted the lives and properties of individuals in developing countries like Africa. Poverty in Africa has led to the increase of child labor since most children lack basic commodities in their homes. They resort to child labor because a majority of them are actually the breadwinners in their families as the parents are incapable of providing for them or their siblings. Child labor has no moral dignity because children who are underage are employed by employers who exploit and abuse them because of their lack of knowledge and inability to find other venues to earn a living (Blackden & Wodon, 2006, p.137). Poverty in Africa has also led to unemployment of individuals leading to a decline in the living standards. Lack of jobs within most of African countries has witnessed sufferings of many families as they are forced to work for minimal wages which are below the standard living. Lack of unemployment affects the lives of individuals as they resort to vices and criminal activities like robbery, prostitution, drug smuggling and human trafficking to earn a living and take care of themselves and their families (Brinkerhoff, 2008, p. 17). Unemployment in Africa has earned the title of the most unsafe place in the world, and also the title of the continent with the highest number of human trafficking. Human trafficking occurs to willing and unwilling girls since most are poor, jobless single mothers who are promised well paying jobs abroad only to find out the harsh realities of the said jobs. Unfortunately, because of poverty many people are aware of human trafficking but still risk the lives by gambling that they could miss a rare opportunity. Poverty in Africa is also associated with various plagues like substance and alcohol abuse, lack of water, food and social amenities like hospitals, school and infrastructure causing a rise in diseases and security among others. Poverty is escalates depression and stress levels; thus, most poor individuals seek solace in alcohol consumption or substance abuse to forget about their worries or relieve the stress. The effects of alcohol on an individual can not be underestimated because it gives an individual a false judgment of situation or a position. The end results are increase in accidents and crime within the society, and the country as a whole. Substance abuse is also harmful to individuals as it destroys their health leading to deaths and disabilities among the addicts. Alcohol and substance abuse also leads to lack of responsibility of parents who in turn do not provide food, shelter, clothing, medication and education to their families. Water and food related diseases are common with the poor because they are not in a position to lead healthy life styles. In most cases, the poor are associated to diseases caused by lack of nutrients in the body like malnutrition. These diseases when not treated lead to deaths of citizens living in different parts of the countries found in Africa (Jamison, 2006, p. 339). Poverty in Africa has also led to the migration of individuals into different countries. Lack of unemployment, which is associated to poverty, has caused many individuals living in Africa to flee from their counties with the intent of seeking employment in their asylum countries (Crush & Frayne, 2010, p. 54). Migration in Africa has encouraged poverty because individuals who are trained in various fields and could change the country leave the country to seek greener pastures in terms of employment opportunities in other countries (Cross, 2006, p.6). Ways Government Can Adopt to Tackle the issue of Poverty The issue of poverty in Africa can be solved by the influence of government to raise standards in the lives of individuals within various countries. The governments of these countries should provide good governance. Good governance is essential in tackling the issue of poverty in Africa. It entails democracy at various stages in the government that encourage growth and development within countries. Most African governments do not exercise democratic rights since the one-government regime have been in power for several centuries, and the elections held in these countries are always not done in clear and transparent manner (UN Department Of Economic And Social Affairs. Division For Public Administration And Development Management, 2004, p. 56). The Absence of Corruption Corruption is a stumbling block to the development of many economies in Africa. Poor economies are associated with poverty and a drop in the living standards of individuals. African governments can tackle the issue of poverty by eliminating corruption in the regions (White & Killick, 2001, p. 57). Corruption in Africa does not allow for the smooth running of businesses, and this denies the continent of investment and development opportunities. Corruption meddles with governments and in the process leads to interference with business opportunities in the region, therefore denying the citizens of employment opportunities and hence promoting poverty among the individuals (Mbaku, 2010, p. 182). Controlling Population The high rate of poverty in countries in Africa is associated to the high population growth rate. A higher population diminishes the available employment opportunities leading to unemployment to a larger percentage of individuals living within the country. The rapid increase in population fosters a corrupt regulatory system within African countries (Indabawa & Mpofu, 2006, p. 130). In addition, a high population leads to a grounded development in the countries as the funds are channeled into other sectors rather than for development purposes (Africa Regional Workshop On Mainstreaming Urban Poverty Reduction In Sub-Sahara Africa, Centre For Human Settlements, & Africa Regional Workshop On Urban Poverty, 1999, p. 97). International Aid Most African countries, being underdeveloped, can really count on international aid to assist them in making developments within the countries. Aid donors are always keen on assisting African counties as most are their colonies. African governments should take this opportunity to request for aid that they will use in fostering efficiency and develop projects. These projects should aid in tackling the issue of poverty in Africa as the donors provide African countries with opportunities for citizens to participate in the development of their countries and also in their personal lives. Conclusion In conclusion, poverty is an issue affecting both individuals at the lower levels in the society. The impacts of poverty in Africa are real because it has promoted child labor in the region, which is an emerging issue in most societies because it is illegal and unacceptable. The high unemployment rates in Africa are also associated to poverty since most African countries are unable to provide for their citizens in different parts of the continent. Governments of African countries are in a better position to influence or alter the issue of poverty in their countries by employing strategies like asking for international assistance. They should also give a keen interest to the population growth in the regions since increase in population is associated with an increase in the use of available resources. The government should also strive to do away with corruption within the regions as development can not occur where there are a few individuals plunging resources for themselves. References Africa Regional Workshop On Mainstreaming Urban Poverty Reduction In Sub-Sahara Africa, Centre For Human Settlements, & Africa Regional Workshop On Urban Poverty. (1999). Urban poverty in Africa: selected countries experiences ; [papers presented at the Africa Regional Workshop on Urban Poverty in Nairobi, Kenya, September 1998]. Brinkerhoff, D. B. (2008). Essentials of sociology. Belmont, CA: Thomson/Wadsworth. Blackden, C. M., & Wodon, Q. (2006). Gender, time use, and poverty in sub-Saharan Africa. Washington, DC: World Bank. http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&scope=site&db=nlebk&db=nlabk&A N=147484. Cross, C. (2006). Views on migration in sub-Saharan Africa proceedings. Cape Town: HSRC Press. Crush, J., & Frayne, B. (2010). Surviving on the move: migration, poverty and development in Southern Africa. Pretoria, South Africa: Idasa Pub. Jamison, D. T. (2006). Disease and mortality in sub-Saharan Africa. Washington, DC: World bank. Indabawa, S., & Mpofu, S. (2006). The social context of adult learning in Africa. Hamburg: UNESCO Inst. for Education [u.a.]. Mbaku, J. M. (2010). Corruption in Africa: causes, consequences, and cleanups. Lanham: Lexington Books. UN Department Of Economic And Social Affairs. Division For Public Administration And Development Management. (2004). Searching for innovations in governance and public administration for poverty reduction: concepts, experiences and lessons for the future. New York: UN. White, H., & Killick, T. (2001). African poverty at the millennium: causes, complexities, and challenges. Washington, D.C.: World Bank. Read More