Intro to Poverty: Situational Vs. Generational (Repost from June 2024)

There are many ways to define and categorize poverty. We can reasonably agree that poverty is "a lack of sufficient resources to sustain a socially acceptable standard of living." That said, there are different types of poverty. Let's take a look at the difference between situational and generational poverty. As we begin, it's important to note that here in Durham, we have families experiencing each type of poverty—and oftentimes, both. 

 Situational Poverty

 This type of poverty is often brought on by a single crisis or closely grouped series of events (sudden job loss, divorce, environmental disaster, health problems, etc.), causing a family or individual to lose access to or deplete financial resources and assets. This type of poverty is often traumatic and challenging to overcome, requiring both social and community investment for those affected to regain stability and support growth.

 Generational Poverty

 This type of poverty is systemic and lasting, affecting at least two generations of a family or closely related group of people. Generational poverty negatively impacts social determinants of health, such as education, employment opportunities, nutrition, healthcare services, and infrastructure and community. Because of the intersectional nature of generational poverty, it is also often associated with complex trauma. Studies have shown that children born into poverty are more likely to be poor as adults, and this likelihood increases the longer children remain impoverished. Social and community investment are essential to overcome generational poverty but can only go so far to lift a generation at a time out of poverty. Systemic changes to social structures are needed to break the cycle across generations.