On May 6, 2019, CNA re-published "Don't call us poor", a docu-series that first aired in 2015.

Since then, the first episode alone has racked up over 374,000 views (and counting). The second episode is currently #6 on YouTube's trending list.

Revolving around the lives of five low-income families who reside in Bukit Merah, each episode gives unbarred access into their day-to-day struggles as well as the social assistance they receive.

Overarching sentiments of pity and blame

While some netizens were sympathetic towards the plight of these families, there were also many who felt that these families were wholly responsible for their situation:

The poor should not have children

Some even went so far as to blast these parents for having children despite lacking the finances, as most of the families featured had two or more children, with one family even having seven.

Stereotypical welfare dependents

One couple, in particular, stood out most negatively to netizens.

In the docu-series, Hong Chuan Chuan is 7 months pregnant and lives in a rental flat with her husband Sky Quek and their two daughters.

Both Hong and Quek work part-time at a nearby KFC outlet and bring home a combined income of $1,000 a month.

In addition to the lack of money, their marriage is also fraught with abuse, as Quek has an explosive temper that often leads to him lashing out at Hong physically.

A few netizens expressed anger at the couple's excuses for not getting full-time jobs, in addition to Quek's apathetic attitude:

Poverty is a vicious cycle

One user, however, felt that Hong and Quek behaved the way they did due to the lack of financial literacy in addition to a kind of tunnel vision:

After all, research has shown that poverty contributes to a "scarcity mindset" and impairs one's cognitive ability to make good decisions:

Change is possible

Eventually, Quek showed signs of wanting to change for the better when he decided to attend anger management classes with a counsellor for the sake of his children:

The relevant dialogue starts from 21:50, but here’s a transcript of the conversation:

Interviewer: Do you think about whether your actions will cause your children to... Quek: Live in fear? Yes. That's why I say they are the main reason I have decided to change. I'm not changing for myself - what for? I'm already like this. It's only after I saw how my family reacted to me, their expressions... That's when I felt that in the long run, it's not good for their mental health. Just imagine someone you are so close to - your own father, he's like a whip. Each morning you don't know what his temper would be like - stormy, or calm and peaceful? Or will there be a tsunami? Growing up in that sort of environment isn't healthy.

More support, less judgment

While many felt that Quek or the other couples had only themselves to blame for their poverty, there were also some who raised concepts of empathy, kindness and charity.

Their argument is that if poverty is a combination of both systemic flaws and personal failings, people should strive to be less judgmental about how the poor think and behave.

Instead of blaming them, we should reach out to them and help them succeed.

After all, a society is only as strong as its weakest link.

You can watch all 5 episodes of "Don't call us poor" here.

Top image courtesy of CNA

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