Is Escape from the Poverty Trap Possible? B. Sparks

IN PRESENT-DAY America one can not listen to either radio or tele vision for long without being told about somebody being in a poverty trap. According to the usual script, not only is somebody in that unfortunate trap, but he is so held there that escape is impos sible without outside help. And of course the viewer or listener is looked upon as an appropriate source for that help. In so far as these commercials are expressions of sympathy and concern 'for the welfare of. fellow human beings, they are to be com mended. But the more thoughtful viewer or listener cannot avoid looking beyond the immediate emergency and inquiring into the meaning of the word "poverty" and the word "trap" and all the other trimmings and emotion-la den words that go with such pleas. He is moved to ask such questions Bertel M.Sparks is professor of Law at Duke University School of Law, Durham, North Carolina.