POVERTY

3 Definitions of Poverty

What are the similarities/differences?

Learning Objectives

Outline and Evaluate 2 Definitions of Poverty.

Outline a third definition of poverty.

Design a contemporary Relative Deprivation Index.

Recap

Wealth Income Inequality

Hills Report (Jan 2010)

Richest 10% are 100 times better off than the least richest 10%

By 2007-8 Britain had reached the highest level of income inequality since soon after the second world war.

The household wealth of the top 10% of the population stands at £853,000 and more – over 100 times higher than the wealth of the poorest 10%, which is £8,800 or below

When the highest-paid workers, such as bankers and chief executives, are put into the equation, the division in wealth is even more stark, with individuals in the top 1% of the population each possessing total household wealth of £2.6m or more.

Individually

Write a short definition of what you understand by the term POVERTY.

Ext:- Provide some examples to illustrate your definition

Discuss

How do you we decide if someone is in ‘poverty’ or not?

Might any sociological perspectives consider poverty a good thing?

1: Absolute Poverty

Poverty is lacking the necessities for “a healthy life” (Rowntree 1901)

Absolute Poverty

“A condition characterised by severe deprivation of basic human needs including food, safe drinking water, sanitation facilities, health, shelter, education and information. It depends not only on income but also on access to social services."

(United Nations, 1995)

The Poverty Line

Seebohm Rowntree (1901) attempted to measure poverty scientifically.

He worked out a family budget based on the cheapest food/clothing available.

He added rent, fuel and ‘sundries’. This allowance (adjusted for family size) is

referred to as the poverty line. Households whose income falls below the

line are considered to be in absolute poverty.

‘Basic Human Needs’???

This definition of poverty relies on the concept of basic needs. But there is some disagreement about what needs are ‘basic’.

‘Basic Human Needs’???

In small groups: (5 mins)

Discuss and decide, in the contemporary UK:

What standard of health is ‘basic’?

What standard of education is ‘basic’?

What food needs are ‘basic’?

What clothing needs are ‘basic’?

Criticisms of Absolute Definitions Human needs cannot be objectively

measured… Needs are affected by gender,

ethnicity, age, occupation etc. What counts as ‘necessities’ and

‘essentials’ varies according to time and place.

Relative Deprivation

Townsend (1979) Poverty is when people lack the

resources and opportunities to live a lifestyle seen as “normal” by their society.

Relative deprivation is inevitable in any unequal society.

The Relative Deprivation Index

Townsend, with a panel of experts drew up an index to measure deprivation.

They identified “norms” regarding diet, amenities, participation in activities, living conditions, property etc.

Households deprived of a significant number of these items would be judged ‘deprived’.

Activity: Small Groups (5 mins) Agree on a list of twelve things that you

believe are essential for someone to live a “normal” lifestyle in the contemporary UK.

Ext:- Describe “why” you consider each to be essential.

1. Holiday away from home within last year.

2. Friend/family to house for meal in last month.

3. Been to house of friend/family for meal in last month.

4. (Children) Friend over to play at home in last month.

5. (Children) Annual birthday party.

6. Been out for afternoon/evening of entertainment in last fortnight.

7. Has fresh meat 4+ nights per week.

8. Has not gone without a cooked meal in last fortnight.

9. Has a cooked breakfast most week days.

10.Owns a refrigerator.

11. Has a roast meal every Sunday.

12.Household has sole (indoor) use of four following amenities: WC, wash-basin, bath/shower, electric cooker).

Criticisms of Relative Definitions The right-wing argue it measures

inequality, not poverty. Ignores individual choice/taste. Fixed (doesn’t change over time) Compiled by a panel, based on a

survey about deprivation. Items based largely on the values of the panel, not through consulting the public.

The Consensual Method (Mack & Lansley; 1983) Not a third definition, but an extension

of Townsend’s work. They updated the index for a TV

documentary (‘Breadline Britain’) Addressed criticisms of Townsend’s

work.

http://www.poverty.ac.uk/take-part(Link is on NCSociology website)

3. Social Exclusion

“A shorthand label for what can happen when individuals or areas suffer from a combination of linked problems such as unemployment, poor skills, low incomes, poor housing, high crime environments, bad health and family breakdown".

- The House of Commons Scottish Affairs Committee

3. Social Exclusion

In other words, poverty and deprivation are not measured by wealth, income or material goods – but on the effects that a lack in one or all of these things can have on people or communities.

Poverty is all about the experience of being excluded from the society we live in.

Learning Objectives

Outline and Evaluate 2 Definitions of Poverty.

Outline a third definition of poverty.

Design a contemporary Relative Deprivation Index.

Exploring Poverty

Definitions of Poverty

What do they have in common?

Learning Objectives Identify factors linked to social exclusion Briefly describe the social groups most

likely to experience poverty Create three policies to manage poverty

in the contemporary UK Briefly describe at least two existing

policies Explain how the way in which poverty is

dealt with relates to how it is defined.

Recap

Three (and a half) definitions of poverty.

Some Key Terms

The Underclass Cycle of Poverty Culture of Poverty

Social Exclusion: Discuss

Probably the ‘broadest’ definition.

What sort of factors might signify social exclusion?

Factors in Social Exclusion

Income Fuel Finance Employment Housing Environment Health Education Teenage Pregnancy

Discuss

What groups in society do you think are most likely to be in poverty?

The Most Likely…

Disabled people The elderly Women The low paid The unemployed Lone-parent families Children Ethnic minorities

Small Groups ( 5 mins)

Imagine you were in government and tasked with ‘solving’ the problem of poverty.

Describe three policies that you might introduce to tackle poverty in the contemporary UK.

How Much Do You Need? (5 mins) Individually, try to work out how much

you might need to live for a week (e.g. for your ‘basic needs’ to be met).

Compare your answer with a partner and adjust as necessary.

Income Support:How Much?

Originally called National Assistance Inspired by Rowntree’s work and

designed to remove absolute poverty. A minimum income to cover the cost of

essentials (meeting basic needs) Levels of income support provide

illustrate the poverty line and offer a measure of poverty.

Income Support: How Much?

Minimum of £56.80 a week (correct in Jan 2014).

Is this enough?

Does income support help everyone who is in poverty? Is anyone excluded?

Minimum Wage

Introduced in 1998 Sought to eliminate low pay as a

cause of poverty Initially opposed by the Conservatives Only effective if:a) Most people are employedb) The minimum wage level is high

enough

Other Policy Proposals

Tax Credits Ensure 100% Employment Revolution Increased state benefits

Poverty & Politics

Today, we tend to use relative definitions of poverty.

Many on the right wing argue that we should return to absolute definitions.

There is ongoing debate over whether to poor should be ‘maintained’ or should be ‘ensured the same opportunities as everyone else”.

Poverty & Politics

Marxists argue that poverty lines and different definitions distract attention from the real issues of inequality!

Written Task

“The way a society deals with poverty depends on how poverty is defined.”

Learning Objectives

Identify factors linked to social exclusion Briefly describe the social groups most

likely to experience poverty Create three policies to manage poverty

in the contemporary UK Briefly describe at least two existing

policies Explain how the way in which poverty is

dealt with relates to how it is defined.