Delayed gratification is the key. Unfortunately poor people often only experience the delay, without ever seeing the gratification. Enough instances of that can cause one to abandon the concept. If the larger gratification is stolen (by the RICH, the MAN, or the surrounding populace) then the next time the immediate gratification will be accepted instead. Better something than nothing. Those of us who were raised in the structured environment where prudence was able to be rewarded more often than not were privileged. The US has benefitted mightily from the rule of law, the prevalence of insurance and the Judeo-Christian tradition so that delayed gratification can be rewarded despite thieving hearts natural disasters, and plain old bad luck.
Delayed gratification is the key. Unfortunately poor people often only experience the delay, without ever seeing the gratification. Enough instances of that can cause one to abandon the concept. If the larger gratification is stolen (by the RICH, the MAN, or the surrounding populace) then the next time the immediate gratification will be accepted instead. Better something than nothing. Those of us who were raised in the structured environment where prudence was able to be rewarded more often than not were privileged. The US has benefitted mightily from the rule of law, the prevalence of insurance and the Judeo-Christian tradition so that delayed gratification can be rewarded despite thieving hearts natural disasters, and plain old bad luck.