Environment is a big impact on any one's life. For instance, a child grows in a rich affluence environment will always want to replicate the type of life he or she grew up in, the reverse is the case for an unfortunate child growing up in poverty environment; every parameters of his or thought boils down to poverty ways of doing things, he or she believes life is all about the type society he or she lives in or grew up in. It takes thinking out of the box for such persons to succeed especially when he or she leaves their environment for a better one. Another factor that breeds poverty is mindset of an individual if such person decides to get out of poverty,it takes determination,getting the right plan/advice or technique,right environment, government policies, right workable knowledge.
Most rich folks weren't born into rich families but just the right plan(s) or environment and Idea; off they are out of poverty. Interestingly, with right government policies China has been able to pull out millions of its citizens out of poverty. However, when People are short sighted as you have said in this post and lack ideas,not innovative, poverty will still gain upper hand. Good post @walkinharmony very informative and well written.