Situational poverty is a period of poverty caused by situational factors, in contrast to generational poverty, which is an entrenched form of poverty that can span multiple generations of a family. There are several reasons for this condition, but some of the most common are divorce, death of a spouse, unexpected health care expenses, and job loss. These uncontrollable events can cause a spiral of events that lead to the loss of income and material possessions.
Understanding the difference between generational and situational poverty is crucial for people working with the poor and for poverty advocates. People in different types of poverty tend to approach their circumstances differently and may have very different values or priorities. By not trying to understand the circumstances of the poor in a region, activists can sometimes do more harm than good, even when they think they are trying to help.
Someone in situational poverty generally has a higher level of education than people in deep-rooted poverty. He is also often familiar with the complex hidden rules and social codes of the middle classes, and this knowledge can come in handy when he tries to deal with it. People in this situation are also more likely to have assistance, in the form of family members and community supporters, and this can make a big difference.
Poverty can be exhausting, especially without a support network. For people who have worked hard all their lives, it can also be extremely depressing as it can feel like everything is being taken away for no apparent reason. Many people who work with people in poverty point out that such circumstances are a serious lesson, as they can hit anyone; Many middle-class people, for example, are just a catastrophic accident away from losing everything.
Getting out of poverty in the short term often requires identifying and addressing the cause and finding a job that helps alleviate the situation. In many cultures, assistance is provided in the form of temporary government benefits, job placement assistance, food banks, etc., in hopes of keeping people from falling into the cracks. If situational poverty continues, it has the potential to become generational, something most advocates would like to avoid.