Galbraith

I’m not sure I fully understand what case poverty is, but the idea of case poverty appears to be poverty that is caused by the inability that a person has to do something. The person may have a problem of some sort that does not allow them to participate in activities that occur in day-to-day life. This includes the opportunity to work “But some quality peculiar to the individual or family involved—mental deficiency, bad health, inability to adapt to the discipline of industrial life, uncontrollable procreation, alcohol, discrimination involving a very limited minority, some educational handicap unrelated to community shortcoming, or perhaps a combination of several of these handicaps—has kept these individuals from participating in the general well-being” (Galbraith 407). Many people have disabilities where they cannot do certain things, therefore cannot find a job in a certain type of area. For example, someone with a back condition such as scoliosis or some other type of condition would not be able to work in an industry where heavy lifting must be done. If I am not mistaken, this is what Galbraith means by case poverty. There are people who cannot work in certain industries therefore they have no means of earning a living. They have no income because their capabilities are less than those who have income, because they can work in all areas. This makes it difficult for many people who do have handicaps to earn a living. Even though they may be able to work in a certain area, they are discriminated against in many areas.

Galbraith, John Kenneth. “The Position of Poverty.” A World of Ideas: Essential Readings for College Writers. Ed. Lee A. Jacobus. 7th ed. New York: Bedford/St. Martins, 2006. pp403-415.