What comes first, the poverty or the characteristics?

[GeneCosta]

It's common knowledge that areas high in poverty also produce high crime rates. Where there is some debate is this: do the people with those characteristics produce poverty, or does poverty produce those characteristics?

[Terrywoodenpic]

Poverty brings many ills.
but there are many living in poverty who live exemplary lives.
One does not necessarily lead to the other.
But it gives an environment where such things can thrive.

[Ciscokid]

Originally Posted by GeneCosta

It's common knowledge that areas high in poverty also produce high crime rates. Where there is some debate is this: do the people with those characteristics produce poverty, or does poverty produce those characteristics?

Good question. My brother once said "poverty brings out the worst in people". I still hold to the statement that poverty is not an excuse to be a moron.

[yossarian22]

Poverty causes crime to appear. Crime so severe that it actively destroys the economic condition of the area occur only after a community dips below a threshold, and is caused mostly by drug wars.