is difficult, since psychological and social impacts are
hard to measure. Mollie Orshansky, who developed
poverty measurements for the U.S. government, said,
The World Bank defines poverty as "an income level
below some minimum level necessary to meet basic
needs." The United Nations defines it as "a denial of
choices and opportunities, a violation of human dignity."
Poverty is lack of food, clean water, shelter, sanitation,
health, education, basic services, representation and
power. Army Founder William Booth thought the poor
of industrial London deserved at least the same treat-
ment as the city's cab horses. Today The Salvation
better serve those in need.
Mother Theresa said, "The
poverty of being unwanted,
unloved and uncared for is
the greatest poverty. We
must start in our own
homes to remedy this kind of poverty."
and the self�absorption of materialism. "We cannot
remain unmoved... We may by the only means that
God has of touching people around us with His love."
to pathways to self�sufficiency and to gainful employ-
ment, live on the margins, without benefit of instruc-
tion and guidance. And while it is easy to stereotype
those in poverty as responsible for their negative
outcomes, a person's behavior does influence destiny
to some degree. Psychiatrist Anthony Daniels has
worked in countries in Africa and with prison popula-
tions in his native England. He notes from his experi-
ence that heroin addicts "show considerable determi-
nation in becoming addicts... In Britain, at least,
heroin addicts do not become criminals because they
are addicted... Criminality is a better predictor of
addiction than is addiction of criminality." He also
points out that by the time they are 15 or 16, twice as
many children in Britain have a television as have a
biological father living in the home.
people would have been subject to poverty if government
assistance programs had not been available. The safety
net provided through public assistance has done much
to help individuals and families improve their circum-
stances. But those on the ground, such as social
workers, realize that initiatives to alleviate poverty
can trap people in a maze of attitudes and services
that perpetuate an impoverished lifestyle.
untapped resources in the private realm are vast.
The opportunity for a free people to harness the power
decades. Rising inequality is
one sign, as are the erosion of
values that lead to stability
and responsibility. In his book
born out of wedlock, the decrease in civic involvement
by citizens and the sense that traits such as trustwor-
thiness, honesty, service and self�sacrifice are no
longer the norm.
observed that "To suppose that any form of government
will secure liberty or happiness without any virtue in
the people is a chimerical idea." For Patrick Henry,
justice, moderation, temperance, frugality and virtue."
ernment refers first of all to individual citizens
governing their own behavior."
for transformation. The challenge of poverty is to
renew social capital and inform it with the values that
lead to lasting change, and with the transformative
spirit that defines salvation in all its dimensions.