However, I do not believe that this text promotes a deficit view of poverty. There is a point in the story where it is revealed that Jordan’s father was offered a high paying corporate job, but he chose to work at the neighborhood community center instead. He comments that he’d rather do work that makes a difference in people’s lives (Craft, 2019, p. 97).  Even though his career choice effects where they live, the food they eat, the clothes they wear, their transportation, and the entertainment that their family gets to enjoy, Jordan’s father chose his morals over money. This moment in the story suggests that people experiencing poverty don’t have deficits in their mindset, but stronger and more compassionate mindsets than wealthy people who chose their careers for the money. 

It also showcases a structural view of poverty as it illuminates the fact that some occupations which are vital to the health, prosperity, and comfort of our society are often paid poverty wages (Brookings, 2019). It reveals colossal structural issues when hardworking, compassionate people who do integral jobs, are paid so poorly. Of course, no one in the United States should be experiencing poverty or receiving poverty wages. It just speaks to how broken our economic and social structures are that occupations such as paramedics, child care workers, community workers like Jordan’s father, and others, are paid so poorly.