How Poverty and Wealth Affect Character

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Poverty and Wealth Really Do Have an Effect Growing up, I knew I was lucky; I had the family that every little girl would want. I always thought that when it came to being wealthy my family was average. We were able to afford all of the necessities, plus more. I never thought that my parents stressed about money until the day I saw my mom crying in the kitchen because my parents could no longer afford the dream house they built together. After struggling through that tough time, my family is now living in a more affordable “dream home.” In order, to live the lifestyle we want, we now have a monthly budget list with the priorities at the top. This experience has changed our way of life greatly. American Educator Washington once said “Character, not circumstance, makes the person” (“Resources”). As I face tough challenges throughout life, I hope that I can be as strong as my parents. Seen or unseen, poverty and wealth will always have an effect on one’s character. Seeing the poor struggle makes people want to change their lives for the better. The reason many don’t change their lives is because they either don’t get the chance to or don’t know how to. In “Black Hair,” Gary Soto discusses how he was a teenage boy that landed a blue collar job working for the Valley Tire Company. At the Valley Tire Company many of his coworkers were in the same situation as he was which made him realize that he was not the only one in poverty. After working for the Valley Tire Company for a couple of weeks, Soto finally understood that he had the worst job possible. He says “This job at Valley Tire Company confirmed that there was something worse than field work, and I was doing it. We were all doing it, from foreman to the newcomers like me, and what I felt was felt by everyone” (375). However, after working hard, Soto was able to rent a room to stay in owned by a couple who were

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