Running head: Poverty, Class & Marginalization 1

Poverty, Class & Marginalization:

Causations and Factors

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It is an undeniable that social stratification plays a dominant role in the levels of poverty,

marginalization, and discrimination on a global scale. These social constructs are often the result

of race, ethnicity, education levels and, in many regions, gender. While this may appear straight

forward, it is a complex problem that relies on numerous internal and external variables

including socio-economic opportunity, cultural norms, ethnic and gender discrimination,

geographic location, and government efficacy to name a few. Speaker Gary Haugen makes bold

claims in his presentation, much of which he attributes to violence. His observations align

directly with some of my own interpretations of the bigger problems facing the marginalized

across the planet although not entirely.

Haugen’s research and statements pertaining to violence among the poor and its

economic effects of the class are profound. I do however believe that this causation is more

prevalent in developing nations in which government cannot or will not apportion adequate

funding for universal police protection. A good example of poverty catalyzed by governmental

inaction is the case of Venus in Zambia. As Gary Haugen demonstrated, her life took a

downward turn due to her neighbor muscling in and robbing her of everything after her

husband’s death (Haugen, 2015, 05:58). This is a case though, where opportunity and not race,

ethnicity or education played a role, it is purely the lack of law enforcement. Similarly, the story

he tells of Griselda in Guatemala whereby her family sees the value in education, but lawlessness

and predatory behaviors will serve to cement her life of poverty (Haugen, 2015, 07:27). Again

however, this poor girl was predated by her own class and ethnicity more than likely and it is

insufficient policing and or corruption that foments the problem.

As I stated, this is a complex model and while Haugen touches on one facet, the problems

are much more complicated. In the U.S. as an example, race and ethnicity have played a role in
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poverty and social class since emancipation. These social indicators foment discrimination and

bias within certain ethnic minorities however, as more opportunities arise, the marginalization

decreases for members that take advantage educational and job opportunities. The wage gap

between men and women in the U.S. is a good example of gender discrimination. In the most

recent Pew Research study not only were women earning about 84% of men for equal work but a

distinct age variable is now prevalent with the 25–34-year-old group earning 93% while the other

age groups suffer greater disparity (Barroso & Brown, 2021). So clearly age and gender are

causations of poverty, or at least earning less in America. Educational and academic achievement

plays a large role in earning potential in first world developed nations whereas, in Haugen’s

models of poverty, he is focused on very poor countries which too, merit education to some

degree although one must overcome discrimination to achieve.

This is a problem that cannot be quantified universally due to the multitude of factors

involved. Certainly, I feel that in some societies the interconnections of class, poverty and

discrimination and closely tied to race, ethnicity, age, gender, and education but this varies by

case. First world versus third world, diversity, and racial composition, established social

hierarchies and or castes and the governmental oversight and efficacy in enforcing laws all play

roles in the problem.

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References

Barroso, A. & Brown, A. (2021, 25 May). Gender pay gap in U.S. held steady in 2020. Pew

Research Center. https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2021/05/25/gender-pay-gap-

facts/

Haugen, G. (2015, March). The hidden reason for poverty the world needs to address now

[Video]. TED Conferences.

https://embed.ted.com/talks/gary_haugen_the_hidden_reason_for_poverty_the_world_ne

eds_to_address_now