Culture of Poverty (New Right)

Question 1

Overview

Answer 1

Known as cultural and individualistic explanation of poverty
People are poor because they adopt a lifestyle with different norms and values-> poverty is a lifestyle choice

Question 2

Oscar Lewis

Answer 2

Found lifestyle of the poor was different from other members of society
This develops into a subculture with its own norms and values that is shared in socialisation
Creates a vicious circle of poverty which is hard to break

Question 3

Subculture Individual level

Answer 3

The poor have attitudes of fatalism, helplessness and resignation where they accept their position

Dependent on welfare benefits, low levels of literacy and restricted language code
Immediate gratification

Question 4

Subculture family level

Answer 4

Life is dysfunctional and there is a lack of positive male role models in their lives
High incidence of fathers abandoning parental responsibilities

Question 5

Subculture community level

Answer 5

Poor are marginalised and face social exclusion
Denied access to essential services and important areas of society
Eg don’t participate in society’s key institutions such as libraries and schools;
Take no interest in politics or to improve their situation

Question 6

A03:

Answer 6

Supported by Harrington who states that by the time children are 7 they have absorbed the basic values and attitudes of subculture so are disadvantaged

HOWEVER, Ryan states that culture of poverty is an ideological to hide the injustices faced by the poor