Functions of poverty

Question 1

Functionalism

Answer 1

Gans argues poverty benefits the non poor as
It ensures that dirty jobs get done cheaply, provides a lowpaid workforce which is willing to perform dead end dangerous jobs at low costs

Poverty creates jobs for those who provide a service to the poor, eg social workers, police officers, welfare administrators all have carers due to poverty

Poverty provides reassurance and support for the rest of society. Poverty provides baseline of failure which reassures non-poor of their worth

Existence of poor people reinforces main stream norms and values. Those who promote values of hardwork and honesty need the poor because they can accuse them of being lazy and irresponsible

Question 2

Marxists

Answer 2

Capitalists benefit from people being poor as poverty provides them with people who are prepared to work for a low wage and well motivated

Poverty divides and weakens the w/c. Prevents workers from uprising as those skilled higher wage workers won’t sympathise with those on minimum wage

Poverty keeps benefits and taxes low, to give incentive work benefits are low and low benefits saves taxes paid by rich

Poverty keeps working class under control. Miliband: to prevent losing jobs w/c reduce pay claims and fail to challenged as it might jeopardise there standard of living

Question 3

Feminists

Answer 3

Poverty exists to support patriarchal society as women are exploited and denied equality

1. Low pay keeps women dependent on men. On average paid 17% less than men means they have ti rely on partners
2. Low pay provides a reserve army of cheap labour. Capitalists can call on women when the need arises

Question 4

New Right

Answer 4

Low pay is inevitable as people receive rewards based on skills and qualifications

1. low pay is desirable as it rewards unequal effort and ability
2. low pay makes the economy more competitive, if the can pay lower wages to workers, more chance to compete with foreign competitors

Question 5

Weberian

Answer 5

More likely to be in poverty due to their inferior labour market situation
Individual income depends on labour market situation eg how much demand is placed on skills in labour markers, those with no or fw skills have poor labour market and face with unemployment

The members of the underclass have low status in society as they lack skills and qualifications