6th Dec Debate What Is Poverty?

[Aled]

A really interesting debate tonight. One that's had me scratching my head since the topic was suggested.

What is poverty? and Is Christmas Overrated?

Tonight's Surgery from 10pm on Radio 1

[Ajayrious]

I think Christmas is vastly under rated to be honest. To me its a symbol of giving, of hope, of good will and those things are all sadly lacking in this country at the moment.

As for what is poverty, Thats a tricky one because as youve seen in Uganda, what is poverty to us is to them, normal life and they certainley wouldnt necessarily feel like they were poor.

[Console]

What is poverty?

Poverty is a condition created by an uneven distribution of resources throughout a population, in which some have little more than they need to stay alive. Not all societies are alike, though, and the percentage of people in poverty would depend on a number of factors, such as the available resources, like clean water, food, health-care, etc. and the willingness of any that have excess resources to share.

Is Christmas Overrated?

Massively so. The fact that some people see Christmas as a symbol of giving, of hope, and of good will (sorry Ajayrious) is evidence to how massively overrated this day of present swapping really is. It's not about the giving or goodwill, if it was about them then why would we be giving to those that already have, as opposed to those in poverty, to stay on topic. And hope? I don't think so. We observe the festival of Christmas this year because we did it last year. It's a tradition, like Easter, Halloween and New Year's Eve and I can't think which element of any of these convey hope. I'm not even sure how the religious connotations of Christmas could been seen to convey hope.

Of course, a major player in the overrating of Christmas, especially in the present and card giving department, are companies that sell cards and things that could be given as presents. Nothing like a meaningless tradition to make buckets more money. Any old excuse, eh?

Another major player, Dickens - Charles bloody Dickens. 'A Christmas Carol' pretty much gave the modern view of Christmas as being a big family event will goodwill to all men and all that nonsense. It's not even that good of a story; infact, if there's one thing more overrated than Christmas, it's 'A Christmas Carol'.

[BabyB]

I agree that Christmas is vastly overrated! it's really now a competition between parents as to who can buy their child the best/most expensive/most toys... that's what Christmas is all about now, toys, not good will and peace among men.

I personally have always said that I would rather have a card with personal sentiment written in it than a present that i've been bought just because the person feels they had to.


poverty is harder... I live in a village which apparently has a very high rate of "poverty", yet it's evidently a "behind closed doors" type of poverty as I have to say it isn't something I outwardly notice. I know a LOT of children at the local school qualify for free school meals though. I think the rate of unemployment around here is very high, which means people are living on a single income or on benefits - but I don't think I personally count that as poverty- yes it's not their fault, in a lot of cases, that parents aren't in work, but then that's not really anything to do with an uneven distribution of resources... a lot of the time it's just pure luck whether you get that job or not... I couldn't find a job for nearly half a year and we were only just making ends meet without any luxuries, but I wouldn't have ever said we were living in poverty.

to me personally, poverty means not having enough money or resources to sustain your health and wellbeing

[Yudster]

Christmas is only a "massive day of present giving" if that's what you want it to be. It has different significance for different people, some spiritual, some religious (there is a vast difference), some social, some emotional, some material - you get the point. How can it be over OR under-rated? You "rate" Christmas according to your perception of it don't you? Well if you don't, then you should.

[VivAyrshire]

I'll answer the Xmas one!!

Xmas has become too materialistic/commercialised. You get Xmas in your face from October, which is a large part of the problem.

I actually send out my Xmas cards in October, and buy my presents early, to avoid the crowds/Xmas choons in the shops.... so annoying.

That said, I appreciate the temporary break from work, etc... Time to reflect... slow down life a little... decide what I may/may not want from the following year, etc., etc.