The Position of Poverty

I've never really taken the time to think about poverty as a whole, none the less there existing multiple types of poverty. I've always thought of the definition of poverty, what it represents and who it affects as a whole and not on an individual basis. In reading Galbraith's "The Position of Poverty," he categorizes poverty as being either case poverty or insular poverty. "This one encounters in every community, rural or urban, however prosperous that community or the times. Case poverty is the poor farm family with the junk-filled yard and the dirty children playing in the barn dirt. Or it is the gray-black hovel beside the railroad tracks. or it is the basement dwelling in the alley" (Galbraith 407).
I took Galbraith's explanation to case poverty to mean that this particular type of poverty affects people on an individual basis. He goes on to mention specific factors that contribute to this type of poverty. He mentions educational, mental and physical deficiencies. But even with such disadvantages his final and most important contributing factor is lack of money. "Educational deficiencies can be overcome. Mental deficiencies can be treated. Physical handicaps can be remedied. The limiting factor is not a lack of knowledge of what can be done. Overwhelmingly, it is a shortage of money" (Galbraith 411).
I believe that there are contributing factors in any case where poverty is involved. However, I strongly feel that money is the underlying foundation of any and every poverty case the exists in the world today. "If the children of poor families have first rate schools and school attendance is properly enforced; if the children, though badly fed at home, are well nourished at school; if the community has sound health services, and the physical well-being of the children is vigilantly watched; if there is opportunity for advanced education for those who qualify regardless of means; and if, especially in the case of urban communities, housing is ample and housing standards are enforced, the streets are clean, the laws are kept, and recreation is adequate - then there is a chance that that children of the very poor will come to maturity without inhibiting disadvantage" (Galbraith 411). While I believe that one must always be ready and willing to help themselves, the majority of the poverty stricken individuals of the world today were born at a monetary disadvantage.

Galbraith, John Kenneth. "The Position of Poverty." A World of Ideas: Essential Readings for the College Writer. Ed. Lee A. Jacobus. 7th ed. New York: Bedford/St. Martins. 2006. pp. 406-413.