what causes poverty? how to prevent it.

Most people stuck in poverty require a sense of realistic hope that their hard work might pay off. Otherwise, when there is a lack of hope, any way that appears easier becomes more realistic and tempting.

This is complicated by the lack of education that some people have. They are not dumb by any means and they know they don't have the education or skills they need. They don't have realistic hopes of getting past that, so they are tempted to take what appears to be an easier route to relative wealth.

This is especially tough on adolescents who are beginning to look for self worth (what some people oversimplify as “status” or “bling” or "attitude," etc).

All of this is even more complicated with single parent households or where there is no decent parental figure or a mentor available to provide emotional support and guidance…to reinforce the proper values and support the right decisions and to hold someone accountable for wrong decisions.

Lastly, since crime is often more prevalent (or born) in specific communities, potential criminals are more exposed to it, hardened to it, and more likely to accept it as a rational way of life.

In short, crime is the result of community and familial failures. I believe in the 80/20 rule (Pareto Principle) that states that 80% of the criminals we now have could probably have been prevented had they been raised differently. The other 20% are likely people who would have become some sort of criminal no matter what.

What would prevent most crime? Hope. What would provide hope?
1 - Living conditions free of daily exposure to crime and violence (think Phoenix).
2 - Stronger family units with 2-Parents, or at least with the appropriate male AND female role models and mentors as well as cousins, friends, teachers, pastors, etc., who regularly and consistently interact with people from birth to death.
3 - Better educational conditions and opportunities.


Source : http://www.topix.com