Poverty across Cultures - Research Paper Example

Poverty across Cultures Introduction Poverty is an issue that for a long time has been considered to be among the effects contributing to the underdevelopment nature of most countries. Different States have their poverty lines and are always dependent on the economic status of a particular State. Using data in the U.S. for instance, we realize that in the past year of 2013 about 45.3 million individuals were estimated to be below the poverty line in the United States (Fuchs & Victor, p12). The number is said to have statistically changed from the 46.5 million of 2012. The rate of poverty or percentage of the population described as poor under the approved definition was about 14.5% in the year 2013, s significant reduction from the estimated 15% in 2012. Poverty within the United States increased tremendously over the 2007 to 2010 duration, in relation to the official financial recession marked as going through December 2007 to June 2009 (Gittell & Ross, p3). This increment remained constant at a post-recession high for three consecutive years. Statistical data gives, 15.1% for 2010, 15% for 2011 and 15% for 2012 (Fuchs, Victor, p13). The rate of poverty in the year 2013, the value of 14.5% was above that of 2006 (12.3%) and the 11.3% of 2000. Reviewing poverty at different cultural and historical vintages is among the paramount ways of understanding the true definition of poverty. Considering Orwell’s Prize Down and Out in Paris and London, we are exposed to Orwell’s account; his time in Paris where he was employed as a plongeur at the Hotel X, and later moving to London. Orwell mentions his London tramping adventures with dramatis personae of mixed characters, accommodation and remarks on almost everything regarding the diet to language. Thesis Statement Persons undergoing poverty in Paris during the 1930s and 1990s in the U.S. had a lot of valid things in common as well as major diversifications. And this is because of reasons relating to: The working poor in both Paris and U.S. had minimal access to the healthcare; they both worked long tiresome hours and had antagonistic relationships with their employers (Brown & Orwell, p3). On the other hand, Parisian workers were able to take pride in their work entirely free from the low-wage workers in the U.S. Proof Poverty varies greatly across the population depending on education, age, family arrangements, work profession and place of residence just to mention but a few. Still under the poverty description, the average family of four was measured poor in the year 2013 if its yearly income was below $23,834. The measure of poverty presently at use was designed 50 years ago and was embraced as the formal U.S. statistical poverty measure in 1969. Apart from the less complicated changes and variations in economic prices, the poverty line is still similar to what was designed half a century ago. A considerate look at Orwell’s Prize Down and Out in Paris and London, we are directed to the way Orwell tries to display the existing poverty he lived through while in Paris and London. Orwell employs the use of an anonymous narrator and through him describes his daily life within the poorer areas of Paris during the 19th century (early 1900s). He talks of the dirt, din, bugs and everything else in details (Brown & Orwell, p3). The narrator, an Englishman, is residing in Paris and managing low on finances. He goes through a lot of hard things in a bit to earn income, including working as a lowly plongeur or dishwasher in the city’s hotels, and in also one of the hesitant restaurants. We learn of all the dirty operations behind the scenes secrets, and they are enough to make an individual’s skin crawl and make one to stop going to hotels and restaurants (Brown & Orwell, p4). The next piece of the book displays the narrator back to his original country of England. While there he is certain to track his paths to London to look for a permanent job. Here we are hosted to the hobo’s way of living; begging, vagrancy, and sleeping in some of the cheapest and filthiest accommodations present. At the same time, we are able to identify some of his fellow hobo’s, and to feel for them. These people are not the worthless, lazy scum that rich individuals of the period would see them to be. Orwell finalises the book with a transitory treaties on the beggar’s plight and manner in which it can be reduced, as well as making the hobo an important part of the community. Orwell’s calling to action is not considered relevant as the workings of the community at large has changed over the past era, but the definition of poverty as stated in the book is fascinating. Orwell’s narration gives an in-depth description of what those living under the poverty line experience in their bid to survive (Brown & Orwell, p6). A reader might initially be a little thrown off by the absence of a key plot, but after going past this it gets easy to know his objective. Orwell’s imagery is so salient that one actually senses like living through his experiences. One can feel the extreme heat of the hotel and restaurant kitchens, feel the weariness and weakness that follows with malnutrition, smell the sweat, dirt and grease. All this simply describes the kind of poor life the narrator lived through and all that are used to define poverty. Nevertheless, Orwell still uses his narrator to show that being lowly is never the end of everything. The narrator never lapses into self-pity or dejection and leaves the readers with a sense of hope. He is able to find humour in some of the worst occasions, and this shows that he had faith of living. Orwell’s narration, gives information relating to how the working poor in both Paris and U.S. had minimal access to the healthcare; they both worked long tiresome hours and had antagonistic relationships with their employers (Brown & Orwell, p7). His three weeks were uncomfortable and filthy, and plainly there was worse ahead of him for instance, his rent payment date was almost due. However, things were not that bad to him as he had stipulated. For when approaching poverty, one makes discoveries that outweigh is the normal way of life. One discovers boredom and general complications and the start of hunger. But he or she still discovers the great redeeming piece of poverty: the fact that it overwhelms the future. Within particular limits, it appears to be true that the less cash you have, the less you worry. When you have thousands of francs in the globe, you are liable to some of the most craven panics. When you own only three francs you are so apathetic; for three francs will take care of you the next day, and you cannot think past that. You are tired, but not afraid. You think elusively, ‘I shall be starving in a day or two shocking, isn’t it?’ and then the mind thinks of other things (Brown & Orwell, p9). Bread with margarine diet does, to some level, give its own anodyne. All these thoughts are due to poverty and cause financial desperation. Conclusion In conclusion, therefore, Persons undergoing poverty in Paris during the 1930s, and 1990s in the U.S. had a lot of valid things in common. An illustration is with respect to the lack of proper healthcare in both states, the lack of good jobs, poor living conditions, tiresome working times and low wages (Gittell & Ross, p5). A concluding part of Down and Out in Paris and London, George Orwell probes himself what he has gained from his experiences on the paths and in regard to the big man I shall question myself. The book has educated us on how swiftly the dry rot of scarcity festers and numbs, peeling confidence and killing dignity. From both encounters in Paris and London, it is clear how poverty separates, marginalises and ridicules. And we have to understand that the key cruelty of vagrancy is that it does not dull the sensibilities of the person sleeping within the entryway but rather viciously worsens them, forcing upon him several cavernous hours in which he can tingle in fame, niggle with solitude and cry for the parents (Gittell & Ross, p7). And finally, it is clear that the definite definition of poverty relates to the poor kind of living and lack of basic needs. Reference Brown, Chris. "Orwell, George: Down and Out in Paris and London.(Brief Article)(Audiobook Review)." School Librarian 22 Mar. 2010. Print. Top of FormBottom of Form Fuchs, Victor R. "Poverty and Health: Asking the Right Questions." American Economist 22 Sept. 1992. Print. Top of FormBottom of Form Gittell, Ross. "Poverty in U.S. Metropolitan Areas: What Are the Key Determinants and What Is the Role of Local Fiscal Structure?(Report)." Public Finance and Management 22 June 2010. Print. Read More