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Two theories of poverty: University of Idaho Extension programs address cultural and structural issues

BOISE—Politicians and policymakers have long lined up behind two main theories about causes of poverty—cultural or structural. The first holds that poverty is the result of unwise individual choices and behaviors; the latter that it is primarily societal reasons, such as the  structure of economic power and longstanding patterns of racism, classism, and discrimination that lead to an unfair cyclical system of poor opportunities.

Policy is usually framed around one of these two explanations, with the “culture” camp suggesting skills improvement, and the “structural” camp focusing on the need for better jobs, educational access, and reducing discriminatory barriers.

UI Extension’s multi-pronged approach addresses both, forming partnerships with government agencies, non-profits, and community groups to provide life-skills training and simultaneously strengthen local institutions.

“We have a large number of people struggling to make ends meet but who don’t necessarily want to be associated with the word poverty and stereotypes that go with it,” said Mary Schmidt, director of UI Extension’s Horizons effort. “What we are more interested in is  creating communities where everyone can thrive and have access to education, to social relationships, to community decision-making. It is all very interconnected.”

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