Poverty is a serious issue and the term itself is controversial as it is mainly seen relatively rather than absloutely. Of course in the 21st century we think of many goods and services which most people take for granted as being essential. Computers, phones of all types, TVs, fridges were not considered essential in even the most advanced countries 60 years ago. This was either because some things hadn’t been invented or that they were too expensive for all except the very richest. Now we all think we have a right to it, just like education and health. And this is no bad thing, by the way. But for various reasons (and that is a major essay on to itself) not everyone is in a position to acquire all this.

Culturally, Malta has yet to become a modern state, but economically, give or take some bits and pieces the country has arrived in the 21st century. So many want the things that a modern economy provides but are unable to solve the problem of how (legally) to go about in getting these goods and services which a modern economy can provide.

Tradition is stll very strong in these islands. EU membership has served to make Malta stick out like a sore outpost. No divorce, senseless censorship, gross xenophobia and general limits on civil rights sleep easily with the macho culture (blessed by the Church) which doesn’t want women involved outside the home, Many women sadly accept this limit but at the end of the day its men who have the power to dictate, so we must be very careful in simply blaming all women for “not working.”

What is telling is back in the 1960s when so many men and women left Malta to seek better lives in countries like Australia and Canada – rich countries where the average wage and standard of living was much higher than Malta’s – most Maltese women joined their husbands and went out to work! Ironic isn’t it.

Emigrate to a country where wages were much higher and both get a job, stay in poor Malta and only the man works!

At least I find that in my time most kids at age 16 left school and became employed full time – this immediately released a huge burden from the parents’ shoulders as most of us had a decent income to get by with, buy our first car, pay for fuel, insurance, clothes, outings etc

TODAY MANY KIDS REMAIN BROKE (EXCEPT FOR THE ODD JOBS THEY GET HERE AND THERE) UP UNTIL THEY ARE 23ISH – THIS IS A MASSIVE 45% LONGER DEPENDENCE THAN OUR PARENTS HAD WITH US – NOW CONVERT THAT X 3 OR 4 KIDS AND YOU HAVE A LIFETIME!

Modern lifestyle basic needs to exist have quadrupled. When we were kids such expenses as internet, mobile phones, private lessons, etc etc were not a basic expense – today they are and without you can possibly not expect any kids to lead a normal life – now whether I agree with this lifestyle or not is another matter – but that is reality.

So whilst one may possibly not call us parents poor – WE ARE STRUGGLING and at a time in our lives that we would rather be slowing down rather than having to increase our workload. It’s called being a responsible citizen and giving your kids a normal start in life.

Please do not write that in other countries kids leave home at 16 – 18 to go live on their own bla bla bla.. why should we take other countries’ garbage ways and change our good ways.

I would like to see a survey and see which model old traditional Maltese family-style love, care and bonding vs the new modern let them leave, live on their own, do their own laundry etc style and see from which branch the stronger families are born. Always remember we reap what we sow.

@All others mocking poverty. Shame on you all – Daphne made a few valid points yes, but restaurants full up does not indicate that there is not any poverty here, Plasma TV etc do not indicate that there is no poverty!

Many people working in the financial sector, banks, civil service,gaming industry are well paid and are not poor, but there are many, and I know many myself, who really and truly are finding it hard to cope.

There exist conditions such as ADD, ADHD, panic attacks, anxiety attacks, bi polar etc which wreck peoples’ lives and which make it next to impossible to hold onto any decent jobs.

If one had to try to look into the numbers above, you would be alarmed to notice how widespread these conditions are.

As if being a university student is in itself worthy of some kind of veneration from the community or something. In advanced countries, students are expected to dish out top dollar for their own education.

In advanced countries receiving a service for free is already unthinkable never mind getting paid for it. I put our university students on the same level of the voluntarily unemployed who complain and expect to get paid (by the government or their spouses) for providing no or little service in return. Go out and find yourselves a job, you leeches!

@ J.Borg

Truer words were never spoken.

@T. Saliba
I reckon you aren’t a big follower of American politics or a big big follower of Maltese politics for that matter because if you were you would definitely know that if there is one Maltese party that is similar, in essence, to the Republican party, it’s by all means the PN.

She would never have thought of telling him to get through to the radio station himself if he wants to speak.

x Listening to music I love which brings back happy memories.
x Spending time with my friends, just having fun.
x Taking a walk along the sea from Spinola Bay to the Strand and back at 6 a.m.

The Old Proverb says, ”if you want to feel rich, just count the things you have that money can’t buy”

As things stand it seems like the PN is equivalent to the Democrats.

The Republican Party lost its way with clueless Reagan and drove itself into the ground with incompetent Bush II tying his fortunes with fundie Christians.

http://www.newsweek.com/2010/06/11/saint-sarah.html

Bush worst president in modern era:
http://rawstory.com/rs/2010/0701/nations-leading-presidential-scholars-bush-worst-president-modern-era-5th-worst-history/

Now you have Sarah Palin. Enjoy…

Studies show poor people tend to gamble more. There could be many reasons for it:

1. they don’t know of a good strategy to get out of their situation;
2. they cannot save enough to get out of their situation;
3. when you’re in a desperate situation, you take desperate measures.

When you don’t have the opportunities, means or skills to move forward you take pot shots. And that also happens with management at big businesses that suddenly find themselves in dire straits.