Misconceptions of poverty in SD

A USD interdisciplinary panel encourages community members to throw away their prejudice 

Emma Goodman-Fish/Asst. Feature Editor/The USD Vista

In 2017, there were nearly 40 million Americans living in poverty, while about 400 people control 35 percent of the value of equity and assets in America. While there is a significant number of Americans living in poverty, the impacts, issues, and causes of poverty are often misunderstood and misconstrued. 

Last week, a USD interdisciplinary panel titled “The Myths and Misconceptions of Poverty” addressed this problem. Professors and doctors from the sociology, science, and theatre departments all shared their insight on what living life in poverty is truly like, through the lens of their respective studies. Poverty isn’t an individual or isolated issue; it impacts everyone and every aspect of life and humanity. 

Julia Cantzler, Ph.D. in sociology, shared that poverty is an American display of social stratification, meaning society’s categorization of its people into rankings of socioeconomic tiers based on factors like wealth, income, race, education, and power. This proves to be  a clear marker of inequality in the U.S.

Net worth was used by Cantzler repeatedly, and while this term is vague to many, it has a huge impact on the impoverished. Net worth is defined as “assets minus liabilities.” This means the worth of an entity on its own. 

“Our net worth is the predictor of our ability to be resilient,” Cantzler said. “How we are able to pay for our kids’ college, education is tied to social mobility. Without net worth, it reinforces cycle of inequality and poverty that exists.”

Americans’ perceptions about inequality and mobility differ from those around the world. Cantzler presented studies that show that more Americans believe people get rewarded for their effort, intelligence, and skills, and that coming from a wealthy family isn’t essential to succeeding. While the pursuit of the American dream is imbedded in what it means to be American, certain resources and advantages are needed to actually attain this “dream”  to which Americans are so committed. This is “Misconception No. 1” as Cantzler puts it. 

Cantzler emphasizes that Americans need to destroy the misconception that social mobility doesn’t have anything to do with social class, and that people can do better than their parents if hard work is involved. Statistically, the U.S. is very class based and continues to remain that way. 

“We’re always talking about whether we should raise the federal minimum wage, because it does not provide a livable income for families and leaves it impossible to actually increase net worth,” Cantzler said. “Despite putting hard work in on multiple jobs, families still cannot rise in class, or create enough to found net worth. Chastising those in poverty or living on the streets for not ‘putting in enough work’ is an ignorant statement. America has established a society in which social mobility is virtually impossible if the right advantages are not provided.”

Suzanne Walther, Ph.D. in ocean and environmental sciences, contributes her ideas on the misconceptions of poverty. Environmental hazards and issues tend to have the biggest impact on those in poverty, again hindering those in poverty from leading their most successful lives. 

“How a natural disaster impacts depends on our vulnerability system, how vulnerable our society is based on exposure, sensitivity, and ability,” Walther said. “Without insurance, or the right resources, people are more vulnerable to being negatively impacted by natural disasters.”

Natural hazards displaced more persons than war in 2013, putting persons on the streets and those living in hazardous areas in danger. In cheaper areas, where there are no building codes, and often more pollution and oil pipelines, there is a higher risk of natural disasters occuring and impacting the residents. The impact natural disasters have on those in poverty is usually not under their control, but is defined by their living situations.

“Natural disasters are something that need to be addressed along with poverty,” Walther said. “When considering climate change and preparation for earthquakes, the issue of poverty in America and in San Diego needs to be recognized in order to mitigate damage from these disasters.”

The final presenter, Ryan Scrimger, M.F.A. in theatre, explained the humanity of those who are currently in poverty, and how theatre can start to address misconceptions and bring to light the real stories of people who experience poverty. Scrimger described  ‘Theatre of the Oppressed’ where those who are subjugated by society and its stigmas can share their truth. 

“Theatre is a way to explore, an active vehicle, and way to heal,” Scrimger said. “Theatre allows for anyone anywhere to tell their story and send a message.”

Theatre education can have a positive impact on poverty. Although  when times are hard in the economy, many people believe that cutting funding to ‘unimportant’ programs like art, theatre, and music is the first solution. 

However, as Scrimger shares, when students are involved in art education, a risk for dropping out decreases, and students become better communicators and are highly motivated. It is not the fault of the student, for being born into poverty, but rather the resources they are often not given to succeed. With theatre programs, students are given an outlet to express their thoughts and further themselves. 

The USD interdisciplinary panel encouraged attendees to dismantle the myths and misconceptions of poverty. It concludes Americans’ perceptions of what it means to be in poverty needs to be rethought so community members can address the root of the problem.