Defining Poverty Flashcards
Define absolute poverty…
A lack of basic needs such as food, water and shelter.
Seebohm Rowntree 1901
Absolute - York 1988 'Live healthily and work efficiently' Cost of essentials Basic diet Minimum clothing Basic housing Drew the poverty line at this cost Primary poverty Secondary poverty (waste)
Bradshaw 1990
Absolute - budget standards method
“Modest but adequate”
Poors spending habits
Advantages of the absolute definition of poverty…
Better for poverty figures Simple Allows comparison Applies to all Cheap
Disadvantages of the absolute measure of poverty…
Ignores social needs
Does not consider choice or location
Subjective
Destitution not poverty
Define relative poverty…
Being poor in comparison to the majority of people in your society. Measures if you can affords goods than fall within the normal expectations of society.
Townsend 1950
Relative
Subjective deprivation index lacked 4+ items below poverty line
Mark and Lansley 1993
Consensual approach - relative 'Breadline Britain' Deprivation index 3+ items = below poverty line Surveyed people so they decided what should be in the index
HBAI
Relative
Governmental measure
60% of the median household disposable income
£427 in 2012
Advantages of the relative measure of poverty?
Widens the idea of poverty above basic needs
Compares to those around us
Track changes in necessities over time
Links poverty to the expectations of society
Disadvantages of the relative measure of poverty…
Subjective Inequality not poverty Does not allow for comparison Ignores social needs There will always be poverty
What is social exclusion?
The ranges of problems experienced by the poor that undermine future opportunities, live in areas of poor schooling and high crime rates , denies people full membership to society.
