Understanding Poverty from the Perspective of the Poor

Experiences of the Very Poor in Selected Geographical Vulnerable Areas

Abstract

The concept of poverty has expanded in recent decades to encompass its multidimensionality, rather than focusing solely on monetary aspect. Social exclusion and insecurity are among the most pressing issues in understanding poverty; however, efforts to understand the social exclusion and insecurity process in light of the lived experiences of impoverished people remain scarce. The contextual issues surrounding the poverty of the very poor in various geographically vulnerable settings are the focus of this article. Six Focused Group Discussions (FGDs) were conducted in three geographically vulnerable areas. The discussions were analyzed using content analysis. The study's findings reveal that fear of being isolated from family and society and distressful feelings of uncertainty and insecurity are considered dimensions of poverty. A sense of isolation is triggered by the fear of being embarrassed and disappointed by others' behavior, the fear of developing relational distance, and the fear of deteriorating empathic relationships. Conversely, feelings of uncertainty and insecurity are caused by income irregularity and the inability to save, the lack of a supportive environment for children, and the loss of physical assets and earning capacity. Although the feelings are similar in different geographical locations, the underlying causes of these feelings vary from one area to another. The study recommends analyzing the context of the lives of the very poor and addressing their concerns as a precondition to finding practical solutions to fight poverty.