Poverty Reading Response Blog

   Based on the two articles that we read, there are obviously some differing opinions of the issue of poverty in our world. One author, Chitra Divakaruni, argued that even though we may still be able to try to fix something, it's not always the best idea. It's easy for us, living in America, to point out that child labor is wrong, but in other countries, knowing that they have a job and security is better than going without food at all. Even if there weren't child labor laws in these third world countries, the children there wouldn't necessarily be happy and free all the time. Even though we can do as much as we'd like to believe that we're helping children that live in poverty, we may be doing nothing at all, as he pointed out: "A bill like the one we've just passed is of no use unless it goes in hand with programs that will offer a new life to these newly released children." These children won't have anything, not even a job, if they were to have laws against child labor, and it's not using our time or money wisely.
    Peter Singer, the author of 'The Singer Solution to World Poverty', had some very interesing and controversial points made throughout it. Singer tried to show how easy it is to give money to donate and save a child instead of spending money and income on luxuries. He says that even though we have no personal connection to those in third world countries and would most likely like to spend the money not used on necessities on nice things, "whatever money you're spending on luxuries, not necessities, should be given away." But just how far do you go with your money; what's enough of a sacrifice for you to still be able to sustain your life normally or save a child with $200? I thought that this article was nice and different because it pulled out many counterpoints and then argued with their side again.
    Coming from a well off household with a steady income in modern America, I have a strong bias towards the first article, 'Live Free and Starve', and against 'The Singer Solution to World Poverty'. In my family, like many families, I have bought things that I just wanted, not necessarily needed, and I believe that it's perfectly okay. I work for my own money, and if I want to spend it luxuriously, I do, which is the same for my parents (except they're obviously more cautious and save more). So coming from that kind of background, I think that I agree a lot more with the first article about not knowing if our time, money, and concerns will actually help those in poverty. I think that this is because maybe I'm making excuses for myself and what I do, but my opinion still stands more in line with 'Live Free and Starve'.