Some individuals assume that issues, such as poverty and human rights violations, can be solved separately from one another. However, what many fail to realize is that poverty and the denial of human rights are problems that are interdependent issues. In other words, where there is poverty, there are human rights violations and vice-versa.
Poverty is more than just individuals lacking in quality employment and material goods; it also incorporates social and physical goods. Social and physical goods are characterized by a right to cultural identity, right to equality, freedom to live with respect and dignity, freedom from violence and degrading treatment, freedom of political opinion, education, personal security and many other basic human rights.
According to Amnesty USA, Gross economic and social inequality is an enduring reality in countries of all political ideologies, and all levels of development. In the midst of plenty, many are still unable to access even minimum levels of food, water, education, healthcare and housing. This is not only the result of a lack of resources, but also unwillingness, negligence and discrimination by governments and others. Many groups are specifically targeted because of who they are; those on the margins of society are often overlooked altogether.
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I view poverty as a charity issue and not as a civil rights issue because society will never be able to completely eliminate it and income should be built around merit and skill and benefit to society and not on pathos or pity - on the other hand helping people is good but should not be done in equal rivalry to those who are intelligent and independent and hard working and do not need help
For the government to try solve poverty is among the most tempting ways to violate human rights as I see it because the state can only do such things by forcing people to do things against their will.
If I use an analogy, take people who are sex-deprived, like these incel types. Some might have very unfortunate reasons for why they are in this state, like mental/physical disabilities, grave misfortune, etc. I'm sure some have reasons worthy of sympathy as poor and unfortunate souls, some might not as people who just lack effort and accountability.
Yet if we tried to use the government to solve this issue, the only way I see to do it is to force certain people to have sex with other people against their will. It would be "legally-sanctioned rape". And anything that requires forcefully imposing costs on one group of individuals to benefit the other is no "human right" as I see it.
Admittedly this is an extreme analogy and it's not meant to suggest that it's directly equivalent to government-imposed attempts to relieve poverty. But I don't see underlying principle as so different. I'm not opposed to all such attempts in the context of poverty, but I would at least oppose using terms like "human rights" in these contexts.
Nope, not whatsoever. Injustice is a human rights issue and thus poverty stemming from injustice is a human rights issue but poverty in and of itself is not.
It has been a saying for a long time that "whoever does not work, let him not eat." While I'm aware there are plenty of people in poverty who find it difficult to get a job, that does not change that many who are in "poverty" (most especially in civilized countries) are in the situation they're in due to their attitudes, beliefs, and actions. They are not owed a living, they have a responsibility to make one for themselves.
I know this is an unpopular opinion and many will consider me heartless for it but I genuinely believe that anyone can get a job and make a living for themselves if they work hard enough at it. And, since I don't believe that anyone is owed a certain amount of pay or a certain quality in the jobs they get, if they get a job they don't like, they need to suck it up and keep working hard despite any personal feelings regarding it.
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I don't think so. It''s an issue with reality. There is no realistic way to get rid of poverty. The only way to get rid of poverty would be to create a utopia, which is impossible to create.
I think rights are a social construct, i. e. whatever society collectively decides are a right, are a right. In this way I am of a different mind from those of John Locke, and other enlightenment thinkers, who believe we have "natural rights." Perhaps it would be ideal to have dignity as a human being, but this isn't something society must provide, as I'm somewhat of a social darwinist at heart.
Also, the term poverty is so often conflated with abject poverty, i. e. without the basic necessities for survival, as opposed to only possessing one flat screen TV. Ceteris Paribus, people have a right to have the things that they can fairly appropriate.Yes. No one deserves to live in poverty. I believe everyone deserves the to have necessities in life, and to live a financially comfortable life. Some people live in dire poverty because of reasons beyond their control. Everyone's circumstances are different, but I don't believe anyone wants to live that way. And not everyone has the capability of changing their life around. Life is not always what you make it. Not everyone can make it better
I don't give to charities. Not because I'm selfish or greedy, but because those at the very top of the charities are. I don't trust any charity. But I do my best to help those within my own community... people who are less fortunate than me.I wouldn't exactly call it a human rights issue. Poverty is a social status, but people living in poverty still legally have the same rights as everyone else -- at least, in the United States.
It's certainly a grave issue of concern, but no rights are being violated as a directly due to poverty.
It's just an issue. That's all it is.No. Especially in the western world. Poverty is your prize for a plethora of bad choices. I don't feel bad for you, I won't be guilted into giving up what i worked for to you. I don't care. Call me a cold hearted asshole of you like, I'm fine with it.
I should point out that all of the times I used 'you' in the explanation were not directed at you. I used it in the proverbial sense.The "Human Rights" are a fictional invention of a certain group of authors, having specific interests in mind.
They are (in my eyes ): usually confused with human VALUES; and:
The only human - natural - right is the right to try to survive.
Which of course does not mean that everyone should do what he/she wants: that would be capitalism.I think that poverty can be slightly a "school" problem or in other words, we should teach kids numerous times (like ages 12-22) about how to handle money (financial education). I know that if kids were responsible and mature about money decisions, then they can grow up to be mature adults. Why not teach kids in elementary about it as well? Seriously, what can it hurt? if not more than help.
Well it can be other issues like public health. For example homeless people have recently caused disease epidemics in cities. So it’s not necessarily a human rights issue but health care is a right in some countries and those issues can overlap so it’s hard to say yes or no. I think it would be great if everyone had a right to not be poor but I don’t know if it’s actually possible on a large scale.
Yes and no. It's not really be definition but it does greatly help basic human rights.
I view basic human rights as something you would really fail to develop as a human being without. Clean water, adequate food, shelter, medicine, and communication.
Poverty reduces those basic necessities.No I do not. The problem with poverty is that most of the time it is self induced by the person who is poor. Alcoholism, drug addiction, laziness, etc are personal problems, and the state/taxpayers have no responsibility to finance or reward these unproductive behaviors.
It is a human rights issue when the government deprives poor people from basic necessities (for which they have the right), such as education, a place to stay, nutrition.
Say the government knows there are poor people, and they actively kill off public education/financing those in dire need and kill off food stamps (or alternatives), then I would definitely say they are violating basic rights of their citizens.No. There's already many resources for people to get out of poverty if they wanted to try, but they just want to keep on doing the same old things that keep em there. Resources are better spent elsewhere.
Yes but no it's an issue but it's not necessarily human right more along the lines of financial issues and opportunities. All across the country there are ghost towns cause the former money making jobs are gone and they never get replaced. Then people move to larger areas and don't have skill sets and jobs don't want to train them...
It very much is a human rights issue... it’s derived in part from the wealth inequality within our country as well as the lack of effort put into solving this issue.
No, to vague of a term with varying definitions and no identified action of cause.
Of course not. The poor will alway be with us. It is impossible to eliminate. And, even if you could, in a dozen generations, their numbers would increase until the system breaks down and tens of millions would starve.
Nope. It stems from a lack of focus and attention. Only a human rights issue if extenuating circumstances apply, like gross retardation.
For the most part yes, as I believe we shouldn’t live in a system where you are required to pay heaps of money for safe, clean housing.
Great question!
I’m off to sleep just wanted to give props - I love this question. I’ll write more tomorrow. 😌
Good night 🌟
And YES. I do.Not at all. Someone always has to lose; not everyone can be a winner. Poor people make this an issue, poor people are the issue.
If people in poverty would perish, this would not be an issue. Food for thought.
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