Class, Poverty and the Law

I'll warn you now.  This series of loosely connected thoughts has no conclusion. Rather, this is all question and no answer.  At least not yet.

Lately I've had an awful suspicion that the world is not really as I've always seen it. My life - my economic background, the stability of my upbringing and the variety and quality of my opportunities - isn't actually typical.

I know, I know. We've all heard that if you have a toaster and a sock you're in the top 0.1% of wealthiest people (or some only slightly less extreme stat). But still, you can't get away from the fact that you assume everyone has experienced life like you have. At least everyone from the same country as you.

I once assumed everyone had two parents who were married.

I assumed everyone had a loving, open, supportive family who encouraged them to express themselves and be emotionally healthy.

I assumed that everyone had a decent shot at doing well in school if they knuckled down.

I assumed that everyone could get a job if they really wanted one.

I assumed that anyone with a job could buy a house (because otherwise it wouldn't make sense, would it?).

I assumed that everyone who said they liked cricket was lying. Ok that one isn't so relevant. True though.

I assumed that everyone had financially stable parents who would help to bail them out if they couldn't quite get their career started.

I assumed that for those very very few unlucky ones who couldn't support themselves, and who didn't have family to support them, the state welfare system would take care of them generously - at least enough to feed, clothe and house themselves. Because in our society we don't let people go hungry, go cold or go homeless.

The result of all those assumptions is that I thought that if someone was poor - I mean really poor, unable to feed or clothe or house or heat themselves - it must be because they are somehow refusing to take the help offered. It must be because they don't want to live differently.

These subconscious preconceptions ran pretty deep in me - in fact I think I have only just realised how much they still informed my views and impressions.

Those are not true statements (cricket the exception).  So many people grow up with abuse or it's passive cousin neglect.  Hundreds of pupils in Scotland are going to school with no idea or example of what it means to be a working member of society.  A huge number of those visiting the UKs food banks are people who have jobs, but the wage isn't enough to feed the family.  Anecdotally, I am discovering that the benefits system, particularly in the last few years, uses any excuse to stop payments - even to those who are destitute.  From my studies I know that a huge category of asylum seekers are not entitled to any kind of benefit payment.  Is this the picture of a caring society that Lloyd George et al envisaged 70 - 100 years ago?

I've never been someone who is passionate about the poor. I mean I've bought my fair share of the 'Big Issue'. Right thing to do. Ease the old conscience. I'm a Christian, so of course I care. Just not any more than the bare minimum. My passions are elsewhere.

And that's ok - we're not all called to battle every single problem. I think God puts each of us here for a specific reason, so it makes sense that some are more passionate about certain things than others. But something has been stirring in me recently. I've been wondering why I'm a lawyer. Why the degree. Why the training.  So that I can make money for a big firm? So that I can work for huge corporations and bolster their profits? Wow. That'll put a spring in my Monday morning step.

Maybe God made me a lawyer, so that I can seek justice.

The bible tells us to 'speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy'

Which is fine.  Until you see people poor, destitute, needy and voiceless.

There is no conclusion to this blog. These thoughts are very much unconcluded.

But one thing I'm clear on.  It's not right for me - or you (sorry) - to sit in a middle class bubble thinking everyone looks, thinks and lives like us.  It's not right to go on our way to pursue careers, move to the suburbs and raise rich kids with no thought for those who just don't have those choices.

So what do we do?

Maybe I'll sell it all and be a monk.  Nah I'd be rubbish.  I talk too much for that.