Poverty, Corruption and Fatalism: A Case Study of Slum Areas of Karachi, Pakistan

In this study we explore and document perceptions of slum dwellers about causes of poverty and petty corruption in slum areas of Karachi (Pakistan). Moreover, we examine the effects of fatalism on poverty, large family size, and child labor. We conduct a survey by interviewing 100 respondents covering all districts (Central, West, East, Malir, and South) to document slum dwellers’ perceptions. We use Wilcoxon Z test and Chi-Square test to examine the impact of fatalism on poverty and child labor. Two thirds of the respondents perceive that corruption (Structural factor)) and fate (fatalistic factor) are important determinants of poverty. Only 4% of the respondents consider shirking (individualistic factor) as a cause of poverty in these areas. Most of the respondents believe that fate is one of the important determinants of their poverty. Our results also show that the majority of respondents, despite their poor living conditions, believe that large family size is a blessing. Consequently they favor child labor to support large family. They also think that corruption is another important determinant of poverty. Almost 80% of the respondents believe that corruption is bad even if it does not hurt others and they see low salary as the major cause of corruption. The Wilcoxon Z and ChiSquare tests suggest that fatalism is an important determinant of poverty, large family size, and child labor in the slum areas of Karachi. Our study implies that apart from various welfare programs, government should also change the mind set of poor people and their perceptions about poverty, large family size and child labor. The psychological