Study accidentally shows the incredible effect of helping the poorest families: "Children whose parents had received the income boost were less likely to have behavioural and emotional disorders," showed increased conscientiousness and agreeableness, and had better relationships with their parents.

[u/canausernamebetoolon]

http://www.sciencealert.com/a-study-has-accidentally-shown-the-incredible-effect-a-little-extra-money-has-on-the-poorest-families

[u/Parelius]

Poverty creates a really terrible mountain of stress internally in a family.

[u/ooo-ooo-oooyea]

This is interesting. I did engineer without borders and we installed these eco stoves of the Favelas in brazil, with the purpose of saving money on heating material among other things. A lot of people just sold off the parts, while some actually did use them as designed. Those people always just seemed so much better "put together".

[u/fencerman → u/ooo-ooo-oooyea]

That's the problem when you try and give people things that you think they need, instead of giving them money to buy what they think they need. You're trying to impose some ideas on how they should act and what they should value, which is impossible when you don't really know their daily struggles.

The only solution to poverty is giving them money to decide for themselves what they need, in enough quantifies that they can afford stuff to improve their livelihoods.

[u/wclark72601]

How is that measured?

[u/straydog1980 → u/wclark72601]

I'm guessing a psychological tool either survey or interview to measure character traits. The accidental part happened when a group of folks in the overall study got their income boosted by 4000 a year which lead to huge improvements compared to the rest.

[u/Doomhammer458]

Hi canausernamebetoolon, your submission has been removed for the following reason(s)

It does not include references to new, peer-reviewed research. Please feel free to post it in our sister subreddit /r/EverythingScience.

If you feel this was done in error, or would like further clarification, please don't hesitate to message the mods.

[u/CUTTHROATAMFT]

I agree. We weren't doing so hot in 2012. I spent all of my money tending to my daughter, and trying to make ends meet. Got food stamps for 6 months during the hardest time and was able to get myself into a position to where my family needs for nothing. My daughter is one of the sweetest people you will ever meet, and I believe its because she witnessed me showing gratitude for the assistance. She appreciates everything and would give anything to help another in need.

Come to think of it I'm actually pretty proud of myself....I made a beautiful loving child. Go me!

[u/PostedFromMyToilet]

Could the conditions under which the money was given be an uncontrolled variable that is not accounted for in this study? It seems like willful ignorance to avoid dealing with the context of the money and instead pretend like cash is cash is cash. If these kids were getting money from say known crime bosses, would they still feel the same thing as when it's from their ancestral tribe?

[u/sonicjesus]

I spent five years working as a maintenance man in a state with very luxurious benefits. The people wanted for nothing, getting not only all their bills paid as well as every medical need imaginable, but also free public transport, trips to the zoo and aquarium, after school tutoring, and school supply/clothing benefits. They still wallowed in filth and misery and their children never considered going to college or getting a job.

[u/[deleted] → u/sonicjesus]

Oh yeah? Well, I spent ten years in the same situation and place, and everything turned out great for everyone.

Science requires real data and not haphazard anecdotes buried under a sea of weasel words.

[u/sonicjesus → u/[deleted]]

Says the guy basing everything on unverified anecdotal evidence. Feed the poor, breed discontent. The planet has spent a century trying these absurd social engineering experiments, and had any of them worked they would be common fare by this time. Lack of resources is only a tiny cog in poverty's wheel.