Welcome to Your Study Guide on Poverty!
Hi there! In this section, we are going to look at poverty. It is part of the Social Stratification unit because poverty is often the result of how society is layered or divided. We’ll explore what it means to be poor in the UK today, why some sociologists think poverty exists, and how the government tries to fix it.
Don't worry if some of the theories seem a bit "heavy" at first—we’ll break them down into bite-sized pieces with plenty of examples!
1. What is Poverty?
In sociology, poverty isn't just about having "zero money." It is usually divided into two main types to help us measure it:
Absolute Poverty
This is when a person lacks the basic requirements to stay alive, such as clean water, enough food, and basic shelter.
Example: A person who has no home and does not know where their next meal is coming from.
Relative Poverty
This is more common in the UK. It is when someone cannot afford the standard of living that most other people in their society take for granted.
Analogy: Imagine everyone in your class has a smartphone to do their homework. You don't have one because your family can't afford it. You aren't "starving," but you are excluded from what is considered "normal" life.
Key Study: Peter Townsend (Relative Deprivation)
Townsend is a very important sociologist for your exam. He argued that poverty should be measured by relative deprivation. He created a list of things he thought were necessary for a "normal" life in the UK (like having a cooked breakfast or going on holiday once a year). If you couldn't afford a certain number of these items, you were living in poverty.
Quick Review:
• Absolute poverty = Survival.
• Relative poverty = Being poor compared to the rest of society.
• Townsend used a "deprivation index" to measure this.
Key Takeaway: Poverty is often defined by what a society considers "normal." As society gets richer, the definition of poverty changes.
2. The "Culture of Poverty" vs. "Material Deprivation"
Why are people poor? Sociologists usually fall into two camps: those who blame the culture and those who blame the system.
The Culture of Poverty
Some sociologists argue that people are poor because they have different values and norms. They suggest that poverty is passed down through families (socialisation).
Example: A child grows up seeing their parents not working, so they grow up believing that not working is the norm.
Material Deprivation
Other sociologists argue that the "culture of poverty" is a myth. They say people are poor simply because they lack material resources (money, good housing, equipment).
Example: It’s hard to get a job if you can't afford a suit for an interview or a bus ticket to get there. It’s not your "values" that are the problem; it’s your bank balance!
Did you know? Many sociologists argue that what looks like a "culture of poverty" is actually just people trying to survive on very little money.
Key Takeaway: This is a "blame the individual" vs. "blame society" debate. Think about which one you find more convincing!
3. The New Right and the "Underclass"
This is a specific viewpoint you need to know for the AQA syllabus.
Key Study: Charles Murray
Murray is a New Right sociologist. He argued that the UK has developed an underclass. These are people at the very bottom of the social scale who are "work-shy" and depend on the government for money.
Murray’s Main Points:
• Welfare Dependency: He argues that the benefits system is too generous, so people choose not to work.
• Family Structure: He blames the rise of single-parent families for failing to socialise children (especially boys) into the value of hard work.
• The Solution: He thinks the government should cut benefits to force people to find jobs.
Memory Aid: Think of Murray as "Money Under Review." He wants to review and cut the money the government gives out!
Common Mistake to Avoid: Don't confuse the Working Class with the Underclass. The working class are in employment; the underclass, according to Murray, are outside the normal labor market and dependent on benefits.
Key Takeaway: The New Right/Murray believe poverty is caused by a "dependency culture" encouraged by the welfare state.
4. Sociological Perspectives on Poverty
Marxism (The Conflict View)
Marxists argue that poverty is an essential part of Capitalism.
• The rich (Bourgeoisie) keep wages low to make more profit.
• Poverty creates a "reserve army of labour"—a group of desperate people willing to work for any price. This keeps everyone's wages low because workers are afraid of being replaced.
Feminism
Feminists point out the "feminisation of poverty."
• Women are more likely to be poor than men because of the gender pay gap.
• Women often take on "unpaid caring roles" (looking after kids or elderly relatives), which makes it harder for them to work full-time.
Functionalism
Functionalists (like Davis and Moore) argue that some level of inequality is functional (useful) for society.
• Poverty acts as a warning. It motivates people to work hard and get an education so they don't end up poor.
• It ensures the "dirty" or "difficult" jobs in society still get done by people who have no other choice.
Key Takeaway: Marxists see poverty as unfair exploitation; Feminists see it as gendered; Functionalists see it as a motivator.
5. Globalisation and Poverty
Globalisation is the way the world is becoming more connected. This affects poverty in the UK in two main ways:
1. Loss of Manufacturing Jobs: Many factories moved from the UK to countries where labor is cheaper. This led to unemployment in many UK towns, pushing people into poverty.
2. Low-Wage Competition: Because companies can move easily, they can threaten to leave the UK if taxes are too high or if they have to pay higher wages. This keeps wages low for many workers.
Key Takeaway: Globalisation can make it harder for the government to protect low-paid workers because businesses can simply "move away."
6. Government Attempts to Alleviate Poverty
The UK government uses several methods to try and reduce poverty:
• The Welfare State: Providing "safety net" benefits like Universal Credit.
• Minimum Wage / Living Wage: Setting a legal limit on how little a company can pay an employee.
• Education and Training: Trying to give people better skills so they can get higher-paying jobs.
• Tax Credits: Giving extra money to people who are working but earning very little.
Quick Review Box:
• Peter Townsend: Relative Deprivation.
• Charles Murray: Underclass & Welfare Dependency.
• Marxism: Poverty is caused by Capitalism.
• Feminism: Women are at higher risk of poverty.
• Globalisation: Moving jobs abroad increases UK poverty.
Final Encouragement: You've made it through! Remember, Sociology is all about debate. When you write your exam answers, try to show both sides—for example, "Murray argues that the underclass choose not to work, BUT Marxists argue they are actually trapped by a low-wage system." Good luck!