Cites dirty work and job creation as one of the economic functions that poverty serves (Gans 278-279). Dirty work refers to menial jobs that are important in society, but can only be done by people with no other life options. Some professions, such as police officers and charities, benefit from the existence of the poor. The author notes that, although these institutions claim to exist for the good of all, they would serve no purpose if the poor did not.