"The Other America"

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses and analyzes the book "Other America-Poverty in the United States" by Michael Harrington. It explores the concepts described in the book in an effort to better understand Harrington's writings and theories. The paper analyzes Harrington's views of mental health and adaptive behavior and how this shapes culture. Finally, the paper discusses Harrington's views about integrating "The other America" into mainstream American society.

Table of Contents:
Abstract
Subgroups in the "Other America"
The Role of Public Policy of the Subgroups
Culture and Mental Health
American Society Post WW2
Integrating "The Other America" into the Mainstream of American Society

From the Paper:

"Harrington describes culture as a homogenous group of people within the population with shared traditions, values, and ways of life; within this definition; for example, the poor are placed into their own culture. The anatomy of the culture shapes mental health because by Harrington's ideology, the mentally ill mostly belong to the "poor culture", and as such, receive very little medical care that would help them, keeping them trapped in that culture permanently. As such, mental health becomes a clinical issue. Adaptive behavior, within this understanding, consists of individuals behaving in a given way as a consequence of their circumstances. For example, if one is part of the "poor culture", they are expected to act a certain way."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Harrington, M. (1993). Other America-Poverty in the United States. New York: Simon Schuster.

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