Name: Carino, Renzell L.

INTRODUCTION

Poverty is like a scourge that is unjustly imposed, tricky to escape from, and
opposed to various types of assistance. Finding the precise reason for poverty
is difficult. In this paper, we will talk about two ideas which are “Poverty is a
matter of Choice. You choose to be poor. You are poor because of your own
making.” and “If God predestined us to be poor, then no amount of hardwork
can liberate us from the intergenerational cycle of poverty.” Living in poverty
means having a low income and little access to financial assistance and other
resources. There are various causes of poverty, including teenage
pregnancies, low employer standards, and a lack of employment
opportunities. 

BACKGROUND

Poverty remains the most critical social problem that needs to be addressed. 
According to Wikipedia, Philippines’ poverty line marks a per capital income of
16, 841 pesos a year. As for the data from the National Statistical
Coordination Board, more than one- quarter (27.9%) of the population fell
below the poverty line the first semester of 2012, an approximate 1 per cent
increase since 2009. 
Being poor is not your own choice. It is what the society and your elders give
you. You’re destined to be poor by God but that does not mean you will be
poor always. You have a choice and the ability to become rich.

SUPPORTING EVIDENCE #1

People cannot ignore the fact that the government is directly responsible for
the nation's increasing poverty rate. The duty of the authorities is to at least
partially reduce the suffering. Those in positions of power should understand
how to distribute resources effectively so that everyone has the chance to
succeed. As indicated in the Philippines Development Plan 2011-2016, the
government actually intended to end poverty (PDP). The PDP for those six
years calls for a 7%–8% yearly economic growth rate and the
accomplishment of the MDGs (MDGs). Under the MDGs, the Philippines
pledged to reducing its 33.1% rate of extreme poverty to 16.6% by 2015.

Being poor is not a predetermined destiny, Deuteronomy 15:4-5 in the

Message Bible says: “There must be no poor people among you because
God is going to bless you lavishly in this land that God, your God, is giving
you as an inheritance, your very own land. But only if you listen obediently to
the Voice of God, your God, diligently observing every commandment that I
command you today. Oh yes—God, your God, will bless you just as he
promised.”
Name: Carino, Renzell L.

SUPPORTING EVIDENCE #2

According to French sociologist Pierre Bourdieu, individuals must have three

types of assets in order to move up the social ladder: social capital, cultural
capital, and economic capital. Our ability to climb the social ladder is,
however, determined by how these three assets interact, and we all start with
them from various places. If poverty is a choice? Why do those employed in
the informal sector who put in more than eight hours a day, including on the
weekends, continue to live in poverty. Will the lengthy hours not demonstrate
that they are not, as some claim, lazy? Who would truly want to be
impoverished if it were a true option?

Poverty is not about God, and it is not virtuous. Psalm 24:1 says “The earth is
the LORD's, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell herein.
”God wants us to open our eyes so we can see the blessings He has in store
for everyone who loves Him in the unseen universe.

SUPPORTING EVIDENCE #3

People who believe that living in poverty is a choice, particularly those who
were once poorest of the poor, are blessed to have really access to several
options that allowed them to climb the social ladder. But it is not a choice;
rather, it is a result of the circumstances created and maintained by society. It
is impacted by the repressive and hegemonic standards and guidelines
established by the ruling class. Lack of opportunity in life is the cause of it.

Henry Sy was not born wealthy; he was born in China. Sy followed his father
to the Philippines in an effort to escape poverty, only to discover his awful
condition there. Henry worked hard day and night to meet his demands
because he was driven and inspired to succeed. Despite of the life that God
gave to Sy, which is being poor, this does not hinder Sy to be known as
successful man now. Being poor is not being without money it’s being without
a dream that will take you out of poor.

COUNTERARGUMENT

Many people think that those who are poor are really that way because they
have made that decision. Most wealthy people advised poor people to look for
employment that would improve their standard of living and enable them to
keep their families healthy and safe. Rich people believe that their beliefs
about how easy their lives are compared to poor people's lives, which offends
poor people who believe the opposite. The majority of wealthy people,
according to this, believe that being poor is simple and that because they
have worked hard to acquire everything they own, they are not obligated to
assist the poor.
Name: Carino, Renzell L.

SUM UP CONCLUSION

In conclusion, poverty is a national issue rather than a personal one.

Additionally, it should be addressed immediately by putting in place
appropriate countermeasures. Additionally, the elimination of poverty is now
essential for the inclusive and sustainable development of the population,
society, nation, and economy.

SO WHAT CONCLUSION

In my opinion, I believe that all those people that think that poor people have
choose to be poor are absolutely wrong. If we recognized the key aspects as
the underlying causes of societal issues like poverty and inequality, all of our
lives might be better. Then, perhaps, finding solutions would be easier.