I often question my role in social services and wonder if my wanting to do good and help others actually inhibits those disadvantaged from getting ahead. After reading The Positive Functions of Poverty, these questions reentered my mind but met resistance. Gans tells us that poverty has to exist, otherwise, no one would do the “dirty work” that needs to be completed. He also tells us that “poverty creates jobs for a number of occupations and professions which serve the poor…”. With thirteen other reasons, he playfully explains that poverty is necessary for our society.

The resistance that met these fifteen positive functions of poverty was one of curiosity. Am I profiting off of poverty by wanting to become a social worker? Does my love for tutoring the incarcerated boys that I see weekly make me intrinsically feel better about myself? My initial reactions were defensive and guilty, which only reminded me to check myself and question why I was feeling that way. After reflecting on my intentions of working in social services, I reminded myself that I agree with Gans, in a sense. People will always fall to the bottom of a hierarchy or social status, and there will always be people who come along to do the dirty work. As for the more fortunate, it is up to them to live their lives, so long as they are not intentionally benefitting from poverty. The worker who only does their job because it makes themselves feel better about their own self does not deserve their spot in social service. The worker who dedicates their life to helping others succeed while fully understanding the inequalities society does deserve their spot in social service. It all comes down to empathy and understanding.