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It’s not that simple. https://www.vox.com/2015/7/24/9027195/haskins-sawhill-norms-marriage https://www.vox.com/2015/7/24/9027195/haskins-sawhill-norms-...

• daenz 8y ago
  Someone should do a study on the effects of telling people they have no agency over decisions in their life.
  • pandolce 8y ago
    Instead of simply telling poor people to stop making bad decisions, we should work to solve the underlying problems which are causing them to make those decisions.
    • daenz 8y ago
      >we should work to solve the underlying problems which are causing them to make those decisions. And in the meantime, we should be educating and encouraging them about avoiding making bad decisions. But by removing their agency, you rule out that option as part of the solution. Instead, it seems you would rather hold your breath until "the system" is fixed, than address how to encourage people to make better decisions while also working towards a better system.
      • pandolce 8y ago
        Just telling people “stay in school, don’t do drugs” and trying to sell them the American Dream doesn’t do enough to combat poverty. Talking points like the “3 Rules” diminish or even deny the fact that systemic flaws are contributing to poverty. Attempts to encourage good decision-making among the poor may work in the short-term, but if it detracts from the movement to provide long-term solutions then that’s a problem. At the same time we shouldn’t wait idly for political change like you said. I guess we should take both approaches and not go too extreme with either one.