NCJ Number
32092
Date Published
1975
Length
14 pages
Annotation
THE COMPLEX FEELINGS OF THE POOR AND DISADVANTAGED ARE DESCRIBED IN ORDER TO HELP CORRECTIONAL PERSONNEL BE MORE SENSITIVE TO THE NEEDS OF THOSE IN CUSTODY.
Abstract
THE MOST PERNICIOUS EFFECT OF BEING POOR IS THE PESSIMISTIC LIFE VIEW AND PATTERN OF FAILURE THAT IS ACQUIRED BY THOSE WHO ARE POOR. ANOTHER INSIDIOUS EFFECT IS THE TENDENCY OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC TO BELIEVE THAT THE POOR ARE INFERIOR. THESE TWO EFFECTS COMPLEMENT EACH OTHER IN A VICIOUS CYCLE THAT LEADS TO STRONG FEELINGS OF DEPRIVATION, INSECURITY, AND POWERLESSNESS. THIS RESULTS IN LIMITATION OF LIFE OPPORTUNITIES, ALIENATION, AND FATALISTIC RESIGNATION. THE SENSE OF BEING DEPRIVED, RESULTING FROM AN INABILITY TO CONSUME IN THE AMERICAN CONSUMER SOCIETY, IS PROBABLY THE PRINCIPAL SOURCE OF EMBARRASSMENT AND INSECURITY FOR THE POOR. HOWEVER, BEING DISADVANTAGED ALSO MEANS BEING UNEDUCATED IN A WORLD THAT STRESSES LEARNING AND KNOW-HOW AND BEING UNSKILLED IN A WORK WORLD THAT HAS GOOD JOBS ONLY FOR THE SKILLED. DISADVANTAGED PERSONS BELIEVE THAT 'GETTING BY' IS A SAFER GOAL THAN 'GETTING AHEAD'. FEELING ISOLATED FROM THE MAINSTREAM OF SOCIETY, DISADVANTAGED CLIENTS NEED SELF-RESPECT AND AN ENHANCED FEELING OF SELF-WORTH. IN DEALING WITH CLIENTS, PROFESSIONALS SHOULD PROJECT THE EXPECTATION THAT CLIENTS CAN CHANGE AND THEY SHOULD HELP CLIENTS IMPROVE THEIR LIFE SITUATIONS. NO REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED.