A persistent myth in public discourse is that poverty and crime stem from individual failings — laziness, irresponsibility, or lack of ambition.

However, “being poor is expensive” underscores that such narratives ignore the systemic conditions in which individuals operate.

Youth choices — whether to carry a knife, join a gang, or drop out of school — are often made under constraints shaped by poverty, fear, and social exclusion.

Implications: Policy responses must shift focus from punishing individuals to transforming the conditions that produce harmful behaviors.

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