The Culture of Poverty and African-American Culture: An Empirical Assessment

Abstract

This study examines whether (1) impoverished persons exhibit a “culture of poverty” mentality and (2) blacks differ from whites in their attitudes toward employment, family values, and welfare. Overall we find little evidence that poor individuals adhere to different value systems than do nonpoor individuals. In addition, we do not find strong evidence of a coherent “black culture,” as reflected in attitudes. However, regardless of poverty status, we do find that blacks are more likely than whites to believe that a single woman is just as capable as a married couple of raising a child and to oppose “work for welfare.” Also, nonpoor blacks are less likely than nonpoor whites to condemn premarital sex, and poor blacks do not support reductions in welfare benefits. We conclude that mainstream (and conservative) discussions of poverty often conflate black culture and poverty, thereby contributing to the improper association of poverty and black minority status.

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