Is poverty a choice?

[LadiesFavoriteToy]

In all respect would you believe that poverty is a choice? People make choices that can have adverse consequences in their lives. From pregnancy to joining a gang or doing drugs. Everyone has a choice. Yet it would seem that people have this premonition that they are stuck in a hole that they cannot get out of, aka the system.

I do believe that the system does not help people to get out of poverty just like prison inmates become accustomed to prison life where they don't know any life outside a prison.

[purplepoppy]

There's plenty of people who make dumb life choices but there's also a lot who do the right things but still can't get out of the poverty trap. You might have kept away from gangs and got yourself an education/training but that doesn't mean you're guaranteed a well paid job. Many employers will discard job applications from people from bad neighbourhoods. Even with the same grades competing with people who went to the "right" school can be hard. Many poor people dig themselves further in debt paying for training/education only to find themselves stuck at MacDonalds.
Then there's the question of is well paid work available in your area or is it just minimum wage, not everyone is able to just move away.

[Guy13]

I believe so IF a couple from Cambodia, who could not speak English, BUY a 280,000 home after paying 8 years of Rent no less than 900-1300 month.
—Man busted his 🚼 with 70-80 hours at 2 jobs a weeks. Both totaled 2.25 over Bojangles modern day $15 wage. Wife took English with kids…and got a job at the Food Lion.
—She worked 30 hours and raised 2 kids…

[Guy13]

Prisoners can get work in my area too but it pays much better to live off Biden.

[Stupidsigninpage]

No.

Some people are disabled, some people can't find work, some people are too old, some people became misfortunate and lost money via medical bills, some people were robbed and lost their life savings.

This is all subjective.

Some wealthy people didn't choose to be wealthy. Many were born into wealth and inherited money.

[Hispanic-Cool-Guy]

Not necessarily. Life isn't black and white. Poverty can be attributed to being born into a extremely impoverished country, serious illness, no education system to help develop skills to further lift one self to better financial outcomes.

[ihatemylife123]

yes and no. you also have not taken into account their environment or the economy like the high cost of living and low wages.

[fireforeffect]

Yes. Must it not be so? Because if you choose, you can get out of Poverty. Therefore, if you choose not to get out of Poverty, remaining in poverty must be a choice as well.

[Anonymous]

Sort of yes. But some people do have extremely bad luck and lesser opportunities.