Edward Banfield (1974), in his description of a distinctive lower-class subculture, suggests that
A) poor people live largely for the future.
B) poor people are not responsible for their poverty.
C) poor people who live largely for the moment are basically irresponsible.
D) the poor deserve better than what they get in our society.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Banfield argues that the lower-class subculture is characterized by a tendency to live for the moment, without considering the future consequences of their actions. He suggests that this orientation towards immediate gratification reflects a general lack of responsibility and foresight, which can perpetuate poverty and limit upward mobility in the long run. Option A is incorrect because Banfield actually argues the opposite - that the lower-class tends to be focused on the here and now rather than the future. Option B is also incorrect as Banfield does not absolve the poor of responsibility for their situation. Option D is not mentioned in the question stem and is irrelevant to Banfield's perspective.

Edward Banfield (1974), in His Description of a Distinctive Lower-Class