The theory of the culture of poverty as Lewis described it has been proven
in the field of Applied Anthropology, and his studies are pretty much dogma.
It's the mindset that goes with this 'culture' that I'm talking about and it
can be one of resignation or dependence, the end result is the same: living
entirely in the present, with little or no ability to conceive of the future
and how to plan for it.  As I said earlier, I can see why that happens.
However just as one can move from one culture into another, you can move out
of the culture of poverty.  It's not easy but you can do it.

Kat

----- Original Message -----
From: "Scott Sands" <[log in to unmask]>
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.c-palsy
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Sunday, June 01, 2003 9:45 PM
Subject: Re: Sterilization (was Re: My Job)


> As for a culture of dependence--I'd agree to a point, but I'd also call it
a
> culture of defeat, of resignation.  We live in an economic system that
> promotes it's own set of "castes" on society, regardless of its message of
> equal opportunity.  Perhaps these people not only depend on welfare, but
> think that's their lot in life.
>
> That last is just a theory...but it fits some people I've met.
>
> Scott
>