Poverty is a Wicked Problem
According to the U.S Census, in 2023, the official poverty rate fell 0.4 percentage points to 11.1 percent. There were 36.8 million people in poverty in 2023. As poverty remains on the decline for most of my home city of Syracuse, New York has a poverty crisis. It leads the nation in extreme concentrated poverty for Blacks and Hispanics, and the city has a child poverty rate of 45.6% in estimates covering the most recent five-year period (2019 to 2023). This can be defined outright as a wicked problem.
In Exploring Wicked Problems What They are and Why They are Important, Joseph Bentley and Micheal Toth say wicked problems present us with real predicaments. They are confusing, dynamic, ill-structured, and ambiguous. They are complex, multi-faceted, and bewildering. [1] Another type of problems are “tame” problems which have clear parameters and solutions attached.
Bentley and Toth’s work is inspired by former Secretary of State George Shultz’s distinction between problems you can solve and problems you can only work at. I am reminded of our Washington DC intensive, where another Washington Insider, Mack Mc Clarty, stressed the importance of building bridges and relationships in handling some of the nation’s paramount issues during his time in office.
Bentley and Toth suggest that the recognition of Wicked problems is an idea whose time has come.[2] Poverty, by this definition, is a wicked problem. The time has come to really develop a strategic plan as the have-nots are becoming an ever-emerging population in America. From my perspective, moving poverty to a tame problem is like physically attempting to move a mountain. While there are solutions, those solutions are vast and far from clear, particularly in this current socio-economic climate.
Problems
When we talk about problems, rather than taking a step forward, we often tend to take one backward. [3] I appreciate how the authors take a proactive step forward. In the book, they list 9 ways to move messes to problems in hopes of finding a solution:[4]
1. Embrace the Mess
2. Find the problem
3. Own the Problem
4. Create the Problem
5. Define the Problem
6. Name the Problem
7. Identify the Obstacles
8. Recruit, Enlist and Engage Others
9. Create and Implement and Action Plan
Historically, I have found that when problems go unsolved, shelved, or awry, it is because suggestions 1 to 3 are not well practiced. Embracing, finding, and owning the problem is a huge undertaking. The major culprit in preventing numbers 1 to 3 from reaching fruition is often rooted in denial and misunderstanding. As I contemplate the wicked problem syndrome, I am left to ask how many messes and problems could be better tended to if misunderstanding and denial were not significant roadblocks? The book speaks to organizations and the endless problems they face. Drawing from the well of organizational consultation, Steven Covey shares a behind-the-scenes look at organizations. Even the best organizations I’ve worked with are absolutely filled with problems. The pain from these problems is becoming more and more acute. [5]
I am reminded of Andrew Liveris’ writing in Leading through Disruption where he states. Business and government don’t understand each other. People working in the public sector don’t understand business and people who work in the corporate environment only dimly understand the corporate sector. [6] If misunderstanding and denial abounds in these major sectors how many people are left to become casualties of consequence?
Bentley and Toth offer another analogy called High Ground and Swamp. The high ground is where there is firm footing, good light, and useful and effective tools to work with. [7] In the swamp, there is no firm place to stand, people are in over their heads, and the light is bad, dark, gloomy, and uncertain. [8] Poverty is certainly found in the swamp if you ask many. A good start would be elevating it to high ground.
Solutions
Here are my 3 possible suggestions to begin moving poverty from the swamp to higher ground:
1. Make a credible investment in education- Teachers are underpaid, and students must be STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) prepared to meet this present and future age.
2. Housing- Housing must become affordable for all. This moves beyond merely the construction of low-cost housing and rent assistance programs, but making the price of home ownership affordable for individuals and families. This could potentially reduce homelessness and increase housing insecurity.
3. Reinforce Social Safety—In the wake of food insecurity, emphasizing food insecurity and assistance, childcare support, and access to healthcare could undo some of the heavy financial burdens on struggling families.
Moving from swamp to higher ground would certainly be a start, but seeing poverty eradicated from one of the wealthiest companies in the world would be an ultimate finish.
[1] Joseph Bentley and Michael Toth, Exploring Wicked Problems: What They are and Why They are Important, (Bloomington, IN: Archway Publishing, 2020).34.
[2] Bentley and Toth, 18.
[3} Bentley and Toth, 75.
[4] Bentley and Toth, 81-82.
[5] Bentley and Toth,124
[6] Liveris, Andrew. Leading through Disruption: A Changemaker’s Guide to Twenty-First Century Leadership. (New York, NY: HarperCollins Leadership, 2023). 164.
[7] Bentley and Toth, 129.
[8] Ibid.
About the Author
Daren Jaime
13 responses to “Poverty is a Wicked Problem”
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Hi Daren, I cannot agree more–poverty is a wicked problem! I thought of my own context while reading the book and your blog. On pages 231 and 232 of the book, Bentley and Toth give two ways to address wicked problems like poverty. You provide excellent suggestions addressing governmental and organizational responsibility and ways forward.
I’m still grappling with my part for the other way,
“for individuals themselves to take on the responsibility of repairing whatever part of the world is within their reach.” What do you see as your responsibilities and next steps concerning poverty in your context?
Kari, Thanks for this. I embrace your struggle as well. For me, not remaining silent and using my platform and ministry to create and build bridges has been the assignment. As a pastor, in my initial years, I was counseling people and found many of my congregants’ requests and petitions were within reach. In church, we have created additional ministries to deal with these specific areas and do our part.
Hi Daren, When I read about your possible solutions to combat poverty, I resonated with number two on the list. I spent the last year of my master’s program partnering with the city council to explore possible affordable housing solutions, as it was an issue in my city. This was almost six years ago. Unfortunately, I often read city news and see that affordable housing efforts have not gone as far as they should be. However, I believe this is the case because of what you mentioned; many do not embrace the mess or own the problem. What do you do personally to remain motivated and encouraged when we often spend years in the swamp?
Hey Elysse, I have often said that only the called survive on matters such as these. You have to be called to this. Building relationships coupled with resilience and patience is much needed. I am also encouraged by creating avenues which can help to alleviate the burden for some. A couple of years ago, we were entrusted with a grant to award $200,000 in emergency housing assistance to residents helping people stay in their homes. The ocean is wide, but if you are willing to sail your ship, you can make meaningful progress to the other side.
Thanks Daren, I appreciate your blog. How might you go about helping key stakeholders to Embrace the Mess, Find the problem, and Own the Problem?
Hey Graham! I think this class has helped me put some things in perspective. Perhaps creating opportunities will attract and energize stakeholders more than blaring the siren surrounding the crisis. Also creating safe space for hard but intentional dialogue is needed. This is often met by resistance or unhealthy debate, making matters worse but when done in its purest form- can make a sizeable contribution to the effort.
Hi Daren,
We speak the same language in our appreciation for the barriers and gravity of poverty. However, sometimes when I look back to where we were in the 1930s with sod houses and newspaper comics for wallpaper, I have to admit that we are better today than yesterday. Then, I go into an argument with myself about the pros and cons of the changes that have happened. Yes, capitalism brought a lot of people out of poverty, but still, we have so many stuck!
How do you reconcile poverty as a wicked problem as compared with years past or even with other countries (Sudan, etc.)?
Hi, Jennifer. Thanks for asking! I’ll try to unpack some of this. Unlike in past decades, today’s poverty is more entrenched due to structural injustices. Until we authentically address root causes—racialized wealth gaps, wage disparities, and policy failures—I feel like the allusion of progress is somewhat misleading. For example, the issues of the 60s’s Jobs, wages, and voting rights are still the same major issues in debate today. I did a study; there are more millionaires and billionaires in the US than ever before, but the wealth gap in America still remains the same or worse across socio-economic lines.
As I compare poverty across countries, such as the U.S. and Sudan, the causes and manifestations may look different, but the root issues remain the same-systemic disempowerment. In Sudan for example, the factors of political instability, war, resource exploitation just no name a few deepen poverty. In the U.S., racialized wealth gaps, predatory capitalism, and housing discrimination (all still present factors), and policies which continue to criminalize those in poverty sustain economic injustice.
The way power is distributed and who is benefiting from poverty can only be eliminated by removing structural barriers.
Hi, Daren, I do believe in the idea that, if the problem is not acknowledged and owned, it would be hard to find a solution, moreover, a wicked problem. This sounds like my NPO, which is focused on assisting the Micronesian community to find their way out of poverty. The main issue is that they are not recognizing and admitting the situation they are in. If this is your NPO, how would you deal with it? Thanks, Daren!
Oh Daren, I am so sorry about the level of poverty in Syracuse. It must break your heart.
I think you have a good start on your three suggestions. I hate to say this but how do you see those suggestions being implemented in the current political climate, with the current administration? I am concerned that that is its own wicked problem, and will contribute and exacerbate all the other wicked problems we face.
Well, Debbie, sadly, the political climate may be new to some generations, but to others, it’s a repeat of times past. The suggestions mentioned must still take root no matter who is in office. As I shared with Graham earlier, there must be a search for opportunities amid crisis. Those who can create these should, because they will be recognized sooner or later, although later appears to be the prevailing period because it does not seem like suggestions are welcomed right now.
Hi Daren, I like the three steps that can be taken to reduce poverty in Syracuse. I especially agree with investing in education. I am curious why you chose the three things and didn’t include anything about the unemployment rate, minimum wage, or trauma healing.
Hey Christy! Honestly, I had a couple more, and the minimum wage and mental and social services would have made it onto an expanded list.. I agree, and among those mentioned, trauma is particularly underrecognized. Poverty has wreaked havoc in this area, and the amount of money needed for services cannot be overlooked. I appreciate you mentioning these three because I wholeheartedly agree.