The question of money and its place in our lives has been a horses’ mouth for millennia. There are those who say that having too much money leads to loads of trouble, while there are others who say that having too little is even worse. Both extremes come with their own challenges and consequences, but which is truly worse? In this paper, I am going to discuss the challenges inherent in both wealth and poverty, and conclude that though each can cause serious hardship, money deprivation will have a much greater consequence of basic human functioning and happiness.
On the surface, one might think there could be nothing wrong having a surplus of money. However, this is far from the truth. People with excessive wealth often face unique challenges that can affect their relationships, mental health, and overall satisfaction with life.
One of the main difficulties of being extremely wealthy is the effect it can have on personal relationships. When someone has a lot of money, they might struggle to determine whether people value them for who they are or for their wealth. This can lead to feelings of isolation and mistrust. Rich people have often spoken of a difficulty of going deeper in forming authentic interpersonal relationships, due to the worry of being exploited.
Besides, one may also become disconnected from everything lovely in life due to over wealth. When everything is easily attainable, it becomes difficult to value hard work and effort. Such as, members raised in affluence might not appreciate all of the rewards that one can get from having perseverance and grit when trying to succeed in life. That incomprehension can lead to a feeling of void and a feeling of tedium.
Furthermore, an excessive focus on money can lead to greed and dissatisfaction. There is a continual tendency to amass more, even for somebody very rich. This endless chase can create stress and anxiety since they are worried about losing that wealth and of not keeping up with the other members in their social group. Sometimes, this money focus takes precedence over other things that should matter in life, like family, friends, and personal development.
In contrast, the lack of money is very difficult because the impacts are frequently much more immediate and personally changing. Financial distress is felt by most individuals as a lack of ability to fulfil the very necessities such as food, housing and healthcare and so on.
Poverty has a perpetuating effect of stress and anxiety. When people do not have enough money to cover their necessities, they often face difficult choices, such as deciding whether to pay for food or rent. This continuing concern can have a negative impact on psychological wellbeing, in the form of depression and prolonged stress.
Moreover, financial instability limits opportunities for personal growth and success. Quality education, health care, and even safe living have, sometimes, also relation to financial ability. For example, children from low-income families may attend underfunded schools, putting them at a disadvantage compared to their wealthier peers. This lack of opportunity can lead to a cycle of poverty and, thereby, makes it more and more difficult for people to escape the vicious circle.
Not having enough money also affects physical health. Malnutrition, poor housing, and a lack of medical attention alone lead to poorer health and welfare amongst the poor. This can create a vicious cycle, as health problems make it even more challenging to work or improve one’s financial situation.
Although poverty is difficult, it is suggested that poverty can also have a teaching effect in terms of resilience and resourcefulness. Individuals raised in a hard financial setting generally become aware of the worth of hard work and the need to make the best use of limited means. Yet this should not prevail over the many disadvantages and suffering that poverty brings.
When comparing the two extremes, it becomes clear that lacking enough money is worse than having too much. Millions suffer the consequences of excessive wealth, not only with its own drawbacks, e.g., strained relationships and life’s meaninglessness, but these issues are also less deadly than poverty-related ones. Wealthy individuals have the means to seek help for their issues, whether through therapy, travel, or engaging in meaningful projects. On the contrary, individuals in poverty often have limited access to the most fundamental resources, leaving them in precarious situations.
Furthermore, financial stability is a fundamental requirement for a decent quality of life. Without it people are unable to fulfill their needs of the bare minimum, and clearly will have physical and mental negative consequences. Although there is reason to believe that extreme affluency can result in unhappiness or emptiness, these conditions are rarely caused by a fatal flaw but rather by a poor decision. Comparatively poverty pushes people to such a point that their choices are quite limited.
Ultimately, the ideal situation lies somewhere between these two extremes. Only when it can be justified that money is sufficient to pay for the basic requirements, as well as some desires, and one avoids the obsession of material possessions open the door to a lived dynamic in which one can live in a balanced and fulfilling way. Financial stability provides the freedom to focus on personal growth, relationships, and contributing to society.
This balance, also, emphasizes the need to learn the price of money and its place in our lives. Money, while essential, should not define one’s identity or purpose. Rather, it should be considered a means to enable individuals to make a living, achieve a goal, as well as make a contribution to society.
In conclusion, while both having too much money and not enough present unique challenges, the difficulties associated with poverty are far more severe and life-altering. Financial pressure impedes fundamental needs, restricts choice, and entrenches inequality cycles. In contrast, the challenges of excessive wealth, though real, are often less critical and more manageable.
Hence it is always worse to not have enough money than having too much. When it comes to the basic as well as the higher needs of people, striving to achieve financial stability and balance plays a crucial role in leading a living worth while and fulfilling experience. From experiencing the difficulties on both ends, society can strive to make a world in which all people are given a chance to fulfill their needs and in which all people have the opportunity to live with dignity.
