Final answer:
Dr. Loewen's research found that most people attribute poverty to the fault of poor people, neglecting the broader social and cultural structures that perpetuate economic inequalities. Sociologists emphasize the role of social stratification and identify larger systemic issues like capitalism, job availability, and wage levels as significant factors in poverty.
Step-by-step explanation:
Dr. Loewen's research suggests that most people attribute poverty to the fault of poor people themselves, exhibiting a belief in a 'just-world' that ignores situational and structural causes of poverty. Industrialization created new social classes and a sense that identity was tied to one's economic position, embodying values of morality, work ethic, and social stratification. Cultural beliefs and the structure of society, including capitalism and class systems, often implicitly support and perpetuate social and economic inequalities, blaming individuals for their circumstances instead of acknowledging the larger systems at play.
The historical development of social classes during the Industrial Revolution and the impact of industrialization on society set the stage for attitudes towards poverty. Furthermore, the stratification of occupations and society's valuation of certain professions over others, as demonstrated by the comparison between teachers and corporate professionals, reinforces these attitudes. Additionally, the ingrained structure of capitalism has been argued to inevitably produce poverty and inequality alongside wealth and innovation.
Sociologists argue that poverty cannot be attributed to individual failings but must be understood as part of a larger system of social stratification that shapes a person's opportunities and life outcomes. Factors such as the availability of jobs, wage levels, and the impacts of racism and sexism also influence who is likely to experience poverty. The expense of being poor is also significant, as those in poverty face higher costs and barriers to building wealth, such as being unable to buy in bulk or own property that could later be sold for profit.