Anti-poor

Describing policies, attitudes, or actions that disadvantage or discriminate against individuals experiencing poverty. This encompasses practices that exacerbate economic inequality, deny opportunities, or contribute to the perpetuation of poverty. Anti-poor measures often involve regressive taxation, cuts to social safety nets, inadequate access to essential services like healthcare and education, and systemic barriers to social mobility. The underlying motivation can range from explicit hostility to unintentional consequences arising from poorly designed policies that fail to account for the needs of vulnerable populations. This can also include harmful stereotypes and prejudices against the poor. The goal is always the marginalization of the people that are considered poor.

Anti-poor meaning with examples

• The city council's decision to slash funding for public transportation, disproportionately affecting low-income communities reliant on buses and trains, exemplified an Anti-poor policy. This made it harder for them to reach jobs and education, thus deepening the cycle of poverty and social isolation. The cuts were sold as necessary for efficiency, however they would severely impact the poor.
• The implementation of stringent voter ID laws, which disadvantaged those without readily available identification, was criticized as an Anti-poor measure. Many people would be unable to vote and therefore impact their right to participate in democratic processes. These laws primarily affected impoverished populations, thus limiting their political participation and voice. The change was made to supposedly improve election security.
• The government's reliance on regressive taxes, like sales taxes on essential goods, placed a greater financial burden on low-income families, who spend a larger percentage of their income on necessities. This policy would be described as anti-poor. This compounded the economic hardships and reduced their disposable income, making it harder to climb out of poverty. The intent was to make it easier to collect taxes.
• The discriminatory practices of some landlords, who refused to rent to individuals receiving government assistance, served as an Anti-poor manifestation of prejudice. This effectively denied housing opportunities to vulnerable populations and perpetuated residential segregation. Such practices would make it impossible for poor people to live in certain neighborhoods.
• A company's decision to relocate manufacturing operations overseas, resulting in widespread job losses in a low-income area, demonstrates an Anti-poor outcome, even if not explicitly intended. The local economy was devastated, causing job losses and an increase in the number of families that would struggle to afford food. This resulted in immense economic hardship for the area.