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I agree that simply pushing a positive mindset is useless because that's not really something you can push unless if you're talking about a parent to your child
by Aunche 5y ago
I agree that simply pushing a positive mindset is useless because that's not really something you can push unless if you're talking about a parent to your child. However, that isn't to say that a positive mindset is useless. I tutor poor kids and overall, there is definitely a difference between the attitudes of immigrant children and those born into intergenerational poverty. Immigrants tend to take their educational background seriously, where's an alarmingly high number of people born into intergenerational poverty accept the status quo that they're in. This is historically observable as well (https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/28/upshot/immigration-america-rise-poor.html https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/28/upshot/immigration-americ...).
Also, I disagree that the government actually is trying to foster a positive mindset to begin with. Welfare is systemically structured to award victimhood (e.g. welfare cliffs).
- giraffe_lady 5y agoIt's interesting that you seem to perceive this as a fault in those experiencing generational poverty, rather than one of its effects.
- zozbot234 5y agoGP never said anything like that. They identified faults in government arrangements as a contributing factor, they didn't say the people themselves were at fault.
- Aunche 5y agoIt is both to a certain extent. Bad circumstances cause unhealthy mindsets, but it's undeniable that these unhealthy mindsets aren't making poverty worse. That doesn't mean I'm lecturing anyone about personal responsibility. The solution is to design policy that empowers people rather than treats them as victims. Unfortunately, it seems like every politician who supports the former (e.g universal healthcare) also supports the latter (e.g. student loan cancellation).
- SamoyedFurFluff 5y agoWait, why wouldn’t student loan cancellation be an empowerment of the poor? I thought the poor disproportionately suffered from shackles of student loans + didn’t finish degree, and the student loan payments are a major friction to breaking into middle class.
- Aunche 5y agoExpanding public university funding so that more people attend colleges without debt is empowering. Student loan forgiveness only rewards those who were unable to get value out of college. It's the same problem as a benefits cliff.
- giraffe_lady 5y agoRight yeah if you want to help people but also punish them for needing help you are going to run into impossible contradictions like that.
- Aunche 5y agoIt's interesting how you're framing not giving people something as a punishment.