Based on the first four episodes, the purpose of the show seems to be to:

1. present the very bleakest, depressing, hopeless, view of what it's like to be part of the underclass in the USA today
2. suggest that people who steal, murder, prostitute themselves, etc. are either forced to be that way by their poverty and lack of opportunities, and/or are actually good people in other ways (e.g. caring for young/old family members)

To me, the violence etc. seems exploitative and intended to shock; ragebait.