Dependency Culture

Question 1

Overview

Answer 1

View that welfare benefits make poverty worse in society, benefits are too generous
Supported by the New Right who argue that poor need to take responsibility for their own situation
Central point of their policies was the claim that the welfare state was leading to a culture of dependency

Question 2

Poverty Trap

Answer 2

Benefits are too generous and act as a disincentive to the poor
Poverty trap, those on benefits are better off not working as they benefits pay more more and may result in them being being stopped and being worse off

Question 3

3 Characteristics of dependency culture

Answer 3

People will work only if they are given a lot more income than their benefits

A benefits culture exists in deprived areas, people are influenced by those around

People are encouraged to be lazy because benefits are too generous and easy to obtain

Question 4

A03:

Answer 4

The idea of a dependency culture is a myth, everybody is dependent in society
For example, workers depend on employees and businesses are dependent customers

Question 5

Charles Murray

Answer 5

Underclass has developed in society 
This is a subculture with different norms and values to the rest of society 
Have a culture of poverty which is characterised by family instability, crime and drug abuse 

State benefits are seen as causing problems as they support growth of underclass

Question 6

Criticisms

Answer 6

The welfare state is not generous, Frank Field MP argues that a lack of resources prevent poor from fully participating in society