Measuring Family Poverty Quality in Perspective Religion: Case Studies the Poor Population in Southeast Sulawesi.

Abstract

Poverty is a bad phenomenon that afflicts humans. This is not only caused by physical and economic aspects, but also caused by socio-cultural factors, political, ideological, social, mental attitudes and philosophies of life. Because of poverty and all the problem becomes complicated, complex and with the severity and many variety. This study raised question of how to measure poverty quality of poor families who not quantitative (physical) but qualitative (psychological). This study aims are: (1) to know poverty severity of poor families from qualitative aspects (mental attitude/character, life philosophy and practice of religion that believed in each), (2) to classify poverty level quality achieved by poor, according with results of each measurement, (3), to know form of empowerment that must be done to poor families based on severity of family poverty (from quality aspect). To achieve these objectives, this study uses data collection method of in-depth interviews. Validity data test is done by triangulation, both sources, time and techniques triangulation. Research results showed that poor families in this area consist of three groups: (1) Poor families group with good quality (safe) who look poor but not poor psychologically. They have a good mental attitude with commendable morals. They have good relations with fellow human beings and their social environment. They behave in a simple economy (not stingy and not wasteful). They are harmony with God Almighty. (2) Poor families group with low quality (not secure) to those who are physically look poor, as well as a psychic has fundamental flaws. They have characteristics: relationship to Almighty God is not suitable with laws. They also have wasteful behaviors as smoking and relationships with fellow human beings often bad. (3) Poor families group with lowest quality (least safe) have poor physical and psychological, with characteristics as: relationship with God is not harmonious, relationship with human and social environment, including family and outside environment (society) often disturbed, and the most severe for this group is a life philosophy that only think for short time (instant) so that rules of life can easily be violated in the form of drunkenness, and other immoral behavior (stealing, robbing. commit armed robbery, prostitution for women, and so on). This poor people is most dangerous and their empowerment should be prioritized, both empowerment of mental/moral, spiritual, and economic (life skills).