Methods to Reduce Poverty

One of the best ways to reduce poverty is to reduce behavior that leads to poverty. The reality is that there is no free lunch. The reality is that natural selection will continue to remain a factor in the world economy. Those who become highly skilled and can offer valuable services will be more likely to be rewarded for their efforts than those who drop out of school and who are unskilled. Likewise, those who invent a valuable product or service will be rewarded much more often than those who offer no productive services.

Communism and socialism have a track record of massive failure. So, where do we go from here? The answer lies in allowing unrestricted free market capitalism to take root. Without the lure of easy to get welfare and kickbacks people will be much more likely to work instead of to sponge off of society. To end poverty is to end the coddling of poverty causing behavior.

In order to reduce poverty there will need to be some reprogramming going on. Large numbers of people will have to be deprogrammed out of their victimization complexes. These people will need a healthy dose of self-esteem and personal growth. People living in poverty can benefit from knowing that they are completely responsible for their lot in life. They may not be responsible for the factory moving overseas, they may not be responsible for an acquired physical disability, but they are responsible for their reactions to these events.

Poverty may never be solved. However, poverty can be reduced through people facing up to objective reality. For the most part, we get back what we give to this world. Complete and utter self responsibility is an integral key to moving out of poverty. Blaming society is only a copout. Accepting responsibility is excepting the freedom of choice.

Other ways to help people's financial situations is to educate them at a young age about personal finance. Make a personal finance course mandatory for high school graduation. Send students on field trips trips to welfare offices and to corporate board rooms. They should be exposed to all facets of society regarding the use of money. Invite speakers who are financially successful as well as those who have fallen on hard times. The students can decide for themselves what behaviors and thought processes lead to certain outcomes. Raising education and awareness about the use of money is a step in the right direction.