The nature, existence and persistence of poverty in contemporary society Flashcards
what is the definition of poverty according to early sociological research?
poverty was initially viewed as aa result of the poor own actions, but research showed it often stems from circumstances beyond their control
what did Booth’s “Labour and Life of the People in London” and Rowntree’s studies demonstrate about poverty?
they highlighted that many poor individuals are decent and hardworking, often facing poverty due to external influences.
define “absolute poverty”
absolute poverty is when an individual lacks the resources necessary for physical survival, irrespective of social context
define “relative poverty”
relative poverty is assessed on social standards and reflects a person’s inability to afford a lifestyle considered acceptable in society at a given time
what is the difference between absolute poverty and relative poverty
absolute poverty refers to lacking the minimum necessary for minimum society, while relative poverty is defined by the inability to obtain customary living standards in a society
What is the “deprivation index,” and who created it?
the deprivation index, created by Peter Townsend, measures relative poverty through a list of essential goods and activities that are considered necessary for an acceptable standard of living
how does social exclusion relate to relative poverty?
social exclusion refers to individuals being marginalised and unable to participate fully in society’s activities, which is a key aspect of experiencing relative poverty
what does subjective poverty demonstrate about individual perceptions?
subjective poverty emphasises that individuals assess their own poverty based on comparisons with their reference groups, which can lead to feeling of inadequacy
explain Oscar Lewis’s concept of the “culture of poverty”
Lewis suggested that individuals living in poverty develop a distinct subculture characterised by fatalism, marginalisation, and a lack of motivation to improve their situation
what are cultural explanations of poverty focused on?
cultural explanations of poverty suggest that the behaviour and attitudes of the poor perpetuate their poverty, often labelling it as a “culture of poverty”
what role does the “underclass” play in the New Right perspective of poverty?
the New Right perspective, notably by Charles Murray, posits that an underclass develops from a dependency on welfare (nanny state), leading to societal issues like family breakdowns and criminal behaviour
what criticism do Marxists offer to cultural explanations of poverty?
Marxists argue that cultural theories blame the poor for their circumstances, ignoring structural inequalities and material conditions that primarily cause poverty
describe the material and structure explanations of poverty
these explanations view poverty as a consequence of economic structures, such as capitalism, and emphasise that material deprivation and lack of resources trap individuals in poverty
