"Poverty Mentality" What are the signs?

[Perry]

It's not a matter of what actually constitutes "poverty mentality." Rather, is it not certain behaviours that indicate such a mental state is dominant?

The usual claptrap is abroad about coffee and mashed avocado on ciabatta bread, but is the malaise not so much deeper than that? Indeed, am I being unduly harsh? Is it even fair to call it a malaise, or affliction?

In your perception, what attributes and behaviours are strong indicators of a person possessed of "poverty mentality?"

[Davo36]

Spending all the time on shit they don't need, but feel they need e.g. I NEED and iPhone, I use it for...

Or "I NEED to belong to this expensive gym..."

[Learning]

Won't give their kids milk because it's so expensive but have Sky TV.

[Perry]

Buying bLotto tickets?

[Nick G]

I used to think serial complainers but then I started to help with the facebook group and I learned there's no barrier to negativity.

So... short term mindset with money and believing that things aren't going to change so why try.

[eri]

what i hate

is people who have done little more than walk, talk and consume oxygen

saying they "deserve"

stuff they can't afford

[Keithw]

But, but but.....
everyone is born equal
therefore i deserve to have what you have
and if I havent got it then I am entitled to take it from you to "Maintain the Equality"

typical socialist mentality:
I dont have to work for what i get, everyone is entitled to anything they want & the State will pay.
Bring everyone down to the same equal level.
The fact that in order for the State to pay it must take from those that already have, seems to escape those that are demanding, until they are in a position of Having and they finally discover where the State gets its money !

[Sportsvee]

Spending future income on stuff that holds no value or isnt an asset.

Borrowing money for holidays or the likes.

Wanting the same as others without earning it.

Thinking they are entitled to luxuries without working/earning it.

The usual.

[Perry]

So where does that sort of mental perspective / conditioning come from?

Artemis' quote from Sowell is relevant, poignant and pointed:

Since this is an era when many people are concerned about 'fairness' and 'social justice,' what is your 'fair share' of what someone else has worked for?

[GLin]

Poverty mentality is usually made up of disempowering words in that persons mind, like:
I can't... because
I'm not sure
I should do this, BUT...
I may do this
I will do this... tomorrow
What if
I don't know if I can do that...
etc

[McDuck]

It's not a matter of what actually constitutes "poverty mentality." Rather, is it not certain behaviours that indicate such a mental state is dominant?

The usual claptrap is abroad about coffee and mashed avocado on ciabatta bread, but is the malaise not so much deeper than that? Indeed, am I being unduly harsh? Is it even fair to call it a malaise, or affliction?

In your perception, what attributes and behaviours are strong indicators of a person possessed of "poverty mentality?"

What is "the poverty mentality"?
This is the first time I've heard of the phrase.
Who invented it and where did you first hear it?

Is it some sort of get rich quick motivational speaker mumbo jumbo or a serious sociological or psychological term?

[McDuck]

ha.
Silence.
I thought so.

Rich dad poor dad ideas in another guise I think.

And when we scratch the surface of that particular ideology we find nothing, no money magic, nothing, just Hawaii - and what happens when it gets used as a U.S. military base.

[eri]

1 of the symptoms of

a poverty mentality

is an endless request for answers

as working it out yourself

is deemed too hard

[McDuck]

ha.
I'll bite.

If we look at this "poverty mentality" gobbledygook as a sad way of trying to figure out what makes some people rich and what makes some people poor..
Then the answers are obvious.
Things like impulsive behavior, short term thinking, aggressive vs passive personalities.
Cultural norms and so on.
Values also.

But Eri, I really can't agree with you that: thinking about what you do before you do it, is ever a problem.
While only thinking and never doing on the other hand, is.

I've looked at many people who are struggling financially.
looked really deeply, and tried to walk in their shoes.
Sure it's a mentality.
Can they change what causes it?
Modern biology gives them a 50% chance.
I say that because their social group is most of the remaining 50%.

So, not without great difficulty.

ps. the wider picture of poverty is mostly about wars, over population to resources and despotic governments.
..and.. alcohol and gambling for rich white world folks.

[donna]

Geez don't we all suffer from it? If these really are the signs you'd be hard pushed to find someone who doesn't tick the box esp. here in NZ where we love to cut down tall poppies. Check out this list:

Signs of a poverty mentality:

• Belief that you are a victim of others’ decisions and choices.
• Fear of spending money on non-essentials.
• Constant search for cheapest alternative, even if a discomfort.
• Obsession with getting “deals” and free entry.
• Belief that you’re lucky when you succeed, incompetent when you fail.
• Denying yourself as an ongoing way of life.
• Feelings of guilt when you have more than someone else.
• Fear of being seen as boasting when you describe a simple accomplishment.
• Never picking up a check someone else may pick up.
• Never feeling you have enough reserves or resources.
• A belief you can “lose it all” despite everything you do.

Source


I can tick off everyone -

cheers,

Donna