How do social institutions help the poor to live better?

1. In the case of education as in schools or universities, by the poor getting an education they
would learn a lot of values and norms. Also, by getting an education, they can upgrade their lives
by getting a better job in which their income would then increase. By having a higher income,
they can then buy better quality goods and/or services. They would result in their higher standard
of living.

2. Religion which is another social institution as in the case of churches also improves the lives
of poor persons. This is so because religion teaches a person how to act within society by
teaching them morals. Churches teach a person the difference between what is right and wrong.
As in the case of poor persons, they have a tendency to commit crimes such as stealing due to
lacking basic necessities. However, religion shows them that this is wrong and that by going
through the right path within society, they would have a more meaningful life.

3. The Government also helps to better the lives of poor people. They provide public schools, so
the poor doesn’t have to pay to get education. Also, they would put in place measures such as
placing subsidies on products which would lower the prices attached to those products, and
would try to enhance economic development by promoting the diversification of agriculture,
manufacturing and also tourism.

4. The family in its entirety would provide food, shelter and clothing to its individuals. These 3
essentials needs are what help a person to live a good life. An example of this would be such as
providing the person with clothing to wear. Also, they would encourage the person to do the
right thing if that person goes off-track and are deviant. In addition, they would encourage the
poor person to engage in extra-curricular activities so as to help give back to society and learn
similar values.

5. The medical institutions such as hospitals would provide care to poor people such as in the
case of public hospitals. Public hospitals are of a free charge so that people who lack finances
would not have to pay for the services of the doctors.
How education help the poor

According to UNESCO( United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization), if all students
in low-income countries had just basic reading skills (nothing else), an estimated 171 million
people could escape extreme poverty. If all adults completed secondary education, we could cut
the global poverty rate by more than half.

EDUCATION DEVELOPS SKILLS AND ABILITIES

A quality education system supports a child’s developing social, emotional, cognitive and
communication skills. Education programs also support the development of knowledge and
abilities (i.e., human assets). Children who receive quality primary education are more likely to
develop these assets at a higher level than those who don’t. They can then use these abilities and
skills to earn higher incomes or further develop other basic assets in which they can then escape
poverty.

EDUCATION CAN FIGHT INEQUALITY

One of the biggest inequalities that perpetuates the cycle of poverty is gender. When gender
inequality in the classroom is addressed, this has a ripple effect on the way women are treated in
their communities. When girls are welcomed into the classroom, they can build skills, gain
knowledge, and socially grow during their formative years. This establishes a foundation for
lifelong learning. As we know, in the workplace, there is inequality also such as women getting
lower wages than men. Using education, the women can have better qualifications than even the
men and so move up within society.

 EDUCATION CAN DECREASE RISK AND VULNERABILITY

In many of the countries where we work, the lives and livelihoods of the extremely poor are
often tied into conflict, epidemics, and natural disasters. These can act as “force multipliers,” or
elements that increase the likelihood that poverty will continue for the poorest countries. 

But knowledge, as the old saying goes, is power. Besides reducing inequality, education can
safeguard against vulnerability and risk. This also reduces inequality. By educating the poor,
there will be a lessened illiteracy rate within the country.