May 12th, 2008
Destitution as a Career Choice
It’s no crime to be poor. But persistent poverty
and oppression causes despair and hopelessness.
The United Nations Childrens Fund (unicef.org)
The State of the World’s Children 2007 (unicef.org) (pdf)
“Poverty demoralizes. A man in debt is so far a slave… In
failing circumstances, no man can be relied on to keep his integrity.
Quotation from Ralph Waldo Emerson, The Conduct of Life
The poverty of our century is unlike that of any other. It is not,
as poverty was before, the result of natural scarcity, but of a
set of priorities imposed upon the rest of the world by the rich.
Consequently, the modern poor are not pitied, but written off as trash.
Quotation from John Berger, In Keeping a Rendezvous
May 12th, 2008 at 8:45 am
I Love this post, it is important and needed to hear over and over again!
Thank You for bringing it to the surface!
(( hug ))
May 12th, 2008 at 10:05 am
Such a dreary topic for a cold, dreary Monday morning (here in NY).
The topic of child destitution stabs me right in the heart. As a mother, I can’t bear to think of little children suffering like that. For most destitutes, there might have been a choice somewhere, but for children, they dont have choices. They are put there as a result of someone’s neglect. That’s what I can’t comprehend.
May 12th, 2008 at 1:00 pm
well siad..Human rights are those basic standards without which people cannot live in dignity. To violate someone’s human rights is to treat that person as though she or he were not a human being. To advocate human rights is to demand that the human dignity of all people be respected.Wishing you well
May 12th, 2008 at 1:05 pm
I am with you, everybody can be better and have a better life, if someone really persuit it
a kiss and a hug,
nice thoughts!
see you,
KIra
May 12th, 2008 at 1:23 pm
Destitution, prostitution, and despair are all parts of a vicious circle which feed on each other spiraling ever downwards. All to often those who are caught in this can see no escape and resort to drugs and alcohol to blot it out of thier minds, but that only exasperates the problem accelerating the rate of decent.
For most, extremely patient and loving outside help is the only way to break the cycle
May 12th, 2008 at 5:57 pm
I love the last snapshot, as much for the “picture” itself than as for the wish. No one should, indeed.
May 12th, 2008 at 10:29 pm
Lovely!
May 13th, 2008 at 6:53 am
This is important and it really touch me… thank you for bringing it out from the shell.
May 13th, 2008 at 11:40 am
a kiss for you dear!
May 13th, 2008 at 2:02 pm
The world gets to harden it’s collective heart by placing “their choice” labels on the poor and destitute. It then has an excuse to turn away and by doing so, it condemns itself even more. As it cheapens life and the value of all humans as equals, indifference reigns.
The old adage of treat others as you would have them treat you, disappears into the mists of the human story, which fast becomes a tragic farce. Very sad.
May 13th, 2008 at 7:26 pm
The reference to unicef provides great references and examples.
Personally I see child destitution as having many diverse roots, here in Australia alcoholism is still the most destructive of all drugs when used in excess, particularly in our indigenous groups where families no longer have money for food as it all spent on grog. But I also think more could be accomplished in relation to the massive trade in armaments which now exceeds the total aid given by those same donor nations to the impoverished countries. Agricultural subsidies in the west also export poverty to the developing countries who can no longer sell their produce at a profit. I know well the effect of the AIDs virus in Africa and the resultant growing number of orphans, whose grandparents cannot cope with the growing numbers. But in the midst of despair there is a growing number of people and unions dedicated to trying to overcome all of these obstacles, offering help and hope for the future.
May 13th, 2008 at 8:43 pm
Delightful and profound.
May 14th, 2008 at 10:34 pm
I applaud your daily thought provoking topics.
May 16th, 2008 at 4:12 pm
Another amazing one! Great topic!