Final answer:
The culture of poverty thesis is the idea that the impoverished lifestyle and its related factors are transmitted between generations. It highlights the difficulty of breaking the cycle of poverty due to the entrenchment of certain social and economic behaviors. This cycle is reinforced through limited access to health care, education, and opportunities, leading to a perpetuation of poverty.
Step-by-step explanation:
The idea that a lifestyle of poverty, alienation, and apathy is passed on from one generation to another is called the culture of poverty thesis. This concept was popularized by Oscar Lewis, an anthropologist, who suggested that children in a cycle of poverty learn and become accustomed to the values and behaviors that perpetuate this lifestyle, thereby making it difficult to break the cycle. Factors that contribute to the culture of poverty include inadequate healthcare, limited education, and social stratification, which together create a self-perpetuating cycle of economic hardship. Poverty impacts mental and physical health, leading to increased levels of stress and higher incidences of diseases and infant mortality. The emotion and social dynamics of living in poor conditions can lead to a feeling of helplessness and fatalism, which can discourage efforts to improve one's socioeconomic status. Moreover, poverty is linked to higher crime rates as individuals may turn to illegal activities out of desperation, further entrenching communities in a cycle of impoverishment and social issues.