How Does Poverty Affect society?

How does poverty affect society? Poverty has far-reaching consequences. It doesn’t just paralyze individuals and families; it paralyzes entire societies.

Social poverty

Poverty negatively effects people’s relationships with friends and families. It often excludes people from participating in society, including decision making in civil, social and cultural life. This leads to withdrawal and shame as a result of not being able to fit in.


“Those who are poor have worse social relationships and participate less in political life and in organizations,” according to the National Center for Biotechnology Information.[1] “… In short, low incomes prevent the poor from living a life in ‘decency.’”

Poor health

Both children and adults who suffer from poverty have higher rates of mortality and illness, as well as increased mental health conditions.[2] Infants born into poverty often have low birth weight, which contributes to preventable physical and mental disabilities; they also tend to be more prone to illness and are more likely to die within 12 months.[3]

They’re also twice as likely to have impaired vision and hearing, anemia and high levels of lead in their bloodstreams, which can impair their brains.[4]

Both physical and mental health problems prevent people from fully participating in society, be it through work, job or stress-reducing recreation. When individuals in a community suffer, the entire society declines.

People who are poor often can’t afford medical care, and often family members who might otherwise take care of them cannot because they have to make money to buy food.

All of this causes incredible stress, which can lead to conflict between parents and children. For example, children may be forced to work to help feed their siblings rather than attend school.

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