Culture of Poverty

Definition

The culture of poverty is a social theory that suggests people in poverty share a consistent set of beliefs, behaviors, and values that are different from those in higher socioeconomic classes. This concept implies that these cultural characteristics can perpetuate their condition of poverty across generations.

Related terms

Socioeconomic Status:

The social standing or class of an individual or group often measured by education, income, and occupation.

Social Mobility:

The ability for individuals or families to move up or down the socioeconomic ladder within a society over time.

Structural Inequality:

A condition where societal institutions such as laws, policies, and economic arrangements systematically result in unequal access to resources and opportunities based on demographic categories like race, gender, or class