Race and Ethnic Relations Essay

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Sociology

Culture of Poverty Theory

The culture of poverty theory as posited by Lewis (1969) asserts the emergency of this particular culture when groups or populations that was economically and socially marginalized and disenfranchised from capitalist society generated behavior patterns to address their low social and economic status. According to Lewis' theory, the behaviors that were exhibited where characterized by helplessness, provincialism, low aspirations, disorganization, and criticism and belittlement of so called middle class White America. Moreover, Lewis ascertains that even if structural remediation was in place, because the coping mechanisms were already in place, the behavior and attitudes would be perpetrated. According to classical assimilation theory, immigrant assimilation was seen as an integral component of successful matriculation into a middle class American way of life as cited in Greenman and Xie (2006) (Warner and Srole, 1945). The adaption of immigrants to the host society was seen as critical to immigrant success.

Application of the Culture of Poverty Theory

There are some similarities and differences between the culture of poverty theory and the traditional assimilation theory. Both attempt to explain the why of relation between ethnic minorities and the host or 'dominant' society. However, there are significant differences as well. The assimilation theory suggests that it would be the only way to be successful is to assimilate to the host society; which in many ways denies cultural differences and the uniqueness of a culture to the individual.

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Moreover, aspiring to middle class White success as the goal has been proven to not necessarily be the best thing for those voluntary and involuntary 'immigrants'. There are many empirical studies that indicate cultural assimilation and acculturation have resulted in premarital childbearing, smoking and risky sexual behaviors and diminished well being for immigrants who attempt to assimilate (Chen et al. 1999). Moreover, the traditional theory of assimilation suggests that to some degree the host society's culture is better than that of the immigrant and therefore, there should be an aspiration by any individual who really wants to be successful to strive for that goal.

The culture of poverty theory does ring true to some degree with regard to the historical disproportionate levels of poverty experienced by Blacks and Mexican-Americans. Systematic disenfranchisement and institutional discrimination and racism have a way of minimizing the individual talents, dreams and abilities of a person and grouping them because of race and culture into a subgroup that are generally denied access because of characteristics that cannot physically be changed. What the culture of poverty doesn't directly speak to and in some ways makes an exception for is that those….....

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