HERBERT J. GANS. THE USES OF POVERTY: THE POOR PAY ALL
Sociology Article Review (25 Points)
Due:
Please read Herbert J. Gans. The Uses of Poverty: The Poor Pay All. (Full article is now visible on Blackboard/slides) Complete a TWO OR MORE PAGES TYPED write-up over the article. As you carefully read the article, be sure to answer the following questions:
1. What hidden functions (or uses) of poverty does Gans identify? Please discuss a minimum of four out of the thirteen.
2. Of the functions of poverty that Gans identifies, which two do you think are the most important? Which two the least important? Why?
3. What alternative functions does Gans suggest towards the end of the article? Please discuss a minimum of one.
4. Do you think that Gans has gone overboard with his analysis? Or do you agree with him? Why or why not?
Extra Credit: I also decided to open up an extra credit discussion forum called “Can the poor be useful to the non-poor?” for those that want to start a fruitful discussion on this article. I will give you 5 extra credit points for a post that is at least 10 sentences long. Posts that only include the write-up or summary of article will not receive any extra credit points. Rather, try to highlight or debate one basic idea from the article which you really felt needs to be mentioned in the discussion forum with others.