In most countries, 11 per cent of the population lives on the minimum wage. Their situation is concerning and even depressing; therefore, we often call them the helpless. We believe there are good people, so it would not be very surprising that many people are inspired to help them because they think they only need an opportunity and support to change their lives. Some believe poverty happens because of bad luck. Therefore, when we support them, their lives will eventually change. The key is opportunity, they said.
However, the situation is more complex than just helping them. Some people dedicate their lives to helping the helpless because they believe they can make a difference. Yet, the brutal truth is that, even with their sacrifice, helping them is not a simple task. Why then?
The Helpless and The Roots
People will realise later that poverty started far away. Ironically, it resembles wealthy people. Rich people don’t get there by accident; their milestones involve luck, hard work, and consistent lessons. Sadly, the poor have a similar experience. They learn how to be poor without intentionally wanting that. Bad luck has accumulated to the point where they belong there now, so they are among the helpless.
Like a plant, the helpless are where they are because of the seeds planted and the roots they have gripped for so long. They reached their current status because of a combination of factors. The bad news is that it is hard for them to escape their current situation.
Education and Mindset
Providing education is not like giving a scholarship and expecting them to change their life. First and foremost, education starts at home. If their home, especially the nuclear family, does not build the right mindset, the helpless will stay in their current situation. Several mindsets, of course, affect how someone prepares for life. Marriage at a certain age, accepting that there are limited ideal job options, or even the obligation to take care of the whole family, including the extended family, are among several negative mindsets inherited by the generation of the helpless.
Even after you give them technical education, these people will not get a job or settle down. Some come from households that crushed their confidence and mentality, making them struggle to stand for themselves and compete in the job market. Some also love their lifestyle, which usually relies on unrealistic social obligations that go against their real needs.
Fair to say, formal education is overrated in this case because the root of the issue goes deeper than just a lack of technical skills.
Dilemma of The Helpless
Consistent social assistance will not be effective because resources are limited and the plan isn’t sustainable. Rather than providing social assistance, people start to see it differently: they completely ignore the idea of helping the helpless. Instead, the idea is to help them get out of poverty on their own.
There are several proposals, for example, policies that lift some of their financial burdens, such as erasing income tax and providing universal healthcare so they don’t have to worry if they suddenly get sick. Moreover, more informal training to equip them with technical skills so they can work independently is provided.
Yet, all the help that exists might not really change their fate since the issue they face is more than the system itself; they might fight with their true self. Therefore, there is a famous saying: never imagine changing the whole world; just make yourself better and your home more comfortable. If everybody focuses on that, we might build a better society where we at least lift some of the helpless fate.
