Do Americans hate poor people?

Question

In Slaughter House 5 (a book) it talks about the fact that in the States the poor are blamed for their own poverty - you know all that American Dream stuff you make your own luck anyone can be a millionaire nonsense.

And of course if you don't you're a useless human being and a disgrace to society etc.

So, is this true? Do Americans hate poor people and do poor Americans (ie most Americans and I don't mean very poor just not well off) blame themselves?

PS- in the rest of the World it isn't like this. People realise that it is not so easy to make lots of money.

Answer 1

In Slaughter House 5 (a book) it talks about the fact that in the States the poor are blamed for their own poverty

     Yes, this is true

- you know all that American Dream stuff you make your own luck anyone can be a millionaire nonsense.

     Yes this is the prevailing attitude in the society around me.

And of course if you don't you're a useless human being and a disgrace to society etc

     Yes this is the SOMEWHAT true in the society around me. It tends to be more characteristic of the rich and privileged however than the average man on the street.

So, is this true? Do Americans hate poor people and do poor Americans (ie most Americans and I don't mean very poor just not well off) blame themselves?

     I don't think it is true of the population at large but I think it is true in general and broad terms of people with money and power... enough money and power to be heard which is why you have heard it. I might comment that with most of American manufacturing having been sent off-shore that the middle class is struggling. The rich think things are just great. The prevailing sentiment on the street however is that we are on the way to becoming a 2-class society... the rich and those that serve them...  All very sad...

    

Answer 2

It depends on the person.  There are some people that are poor through no fault of their own.  Maybe they had a good job and the company closed, and they are now having trouble finding work.  I think that most people do not hate a person like this, they realize that person is trying to help them self.

Then there are the welfare slobs of America.  These are the people that have no desire at all to work, they just want everything handed to them for free, then they complain bitterly that they are not given enough for free.  And no, they do not blame themselves, they blame everyone else, especially those that have nice things because they worked for them.  These are the people that are hated by many, because they are doing nothing to help themselves.

I once saw a news story about a homeless shelter.  It was right before a snowstorm was going to hit.  One of the people running the shelter commented on all the empty beds, and how people just were not coming in.  Then the reporter interviewed a guy on the street.  He said he would not go to that shelter, because anyone that goes to it is told they are expected to (gasp!) pick up after them self (like, after eating the free meal, they are expected to dump their own tray in the garbage) and (gasp!) help out (serving food, wiping tables, etc) so he would not bother.  So, it came down to that since he could not get free food and a free bed without having to do anything in return, he would rather be out on the street during the storm.  These are the types many don't care about because given the chance for help, they refuse it.

Answer 3

I haven't read the book you're talking about, but I think that it is a correct thing to say that many of us Americans have a very unsympathetic attitude towards the poor.

That attitude is due, in part, to media portrayals of the types of women and families that are on welfare and section-8 programs. They are usually depicted as minorities who have multiple children and have no intentions of doing better for themselves.

I myself had this horrible attitude due to ignorance. That was until I met some people in bad situations, and hearing their stories totally changed my mindset towards the poor.

Another reason is that Americans tend to think that getting an education  will always lead to wealth.

That is also not entirely true. Bachelor's Degrees are a commodity nowadays, and obtaining a Bachelor's Degree in areas such as Southern California many times won't even earn you enough money to buy a home.

So, sadly, I have to agree with you.

I'm also going to pick up "Slaughter House 5" and give it a read.

Have a great day!

I'm outta here . . .