Syllabus
6.6
Poverty
1. Concepts of Poverty
Defining Poverty, to include absolute and relative poverty and the poverty line
The Extent and Distribution of Poverty in Ireland Today and Identification of those Groups at Risk of Poverty
2. Causes and Effects of Poverty
Reasons why Poverty continues to be a Feature of Modern Western Society, to include: a) The Cycle of Poverty (Higher Level Only) b) The Influence of Social Policy on Poverty (Higher Level Only) c) The Cycle of Deprivation in the Families (Higher Level Only) d) Geographical Areas (Higher Level Only) e) The Poverty Trap (Higher Level Only)
1. Concepts of Poverty
Defining Poverty, To Include Absolute and Relative Poverty and the
Poverty Line
Poverty is being without adequate food, clothing and shelter.
People are living in Poverty if their income and resources (material, cultural and social) are so inadequate as to prevent them from having a standard of living that is considered normal by Irish Society generally. This then means that they can not take part in activities that are considered the norm by other people in society.
Absolute Poverty: People who do not have enough food, clothing, heat or shelter. They struggle to stay alive and have no visible means of solving the problem.
© PDST Home Economics
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Relative Poverty: Defined by the standard of living this is expected within a society. People living below this standard are living in relative poverty.
Income Poverty: Defined as an income of less than 50% of the average income.
(A relative income poverty line is usually set at a level of between
40% and 70% of the average income).
Deprivation: This relates to an individual’s lack of provisions or when somebody fails to own something that is considered the norm e.g. a pair of jeans.
Consistent Poverty: The combination of income poverty and deprivation.
The Poverty Line
 The poverty line refers to the minimum amount of money a person would need to provide for basic needs e.g. food, shelter and clothing.
 The poverty line differs from one society to another.
 It is usually measured relative to the income levels in a country.
1.
Concepts of Poverty
The Extent and Distribution of Poverty in Ireland Today
 The number of people living below the poverty line has fluctuated over the last 50 years.
 During the 1960s and 1970s, there was a slight decrease in the number of people living below the poverty line.
 During the 1980s this number of people unemployed increase as there was a recession. This meant there was an increase in the number of people living below the poverty line.
 The Celtic Tiger in the 1990s meant an increase in employment and a decrease in the number of people living below the poverty line.
 Towards the early/mid 2000s there was an increase in the number of people living below the poverty line. This was because of the extremely high house prices and the high cost of living.
 This has lead to the recession today where there is high unemployment and an increase in the number of people living below the poverty line.
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Identification of those Groups at Risk of Poverty
 Unemployed and Low-Wage Earners
 Lone-Parent Families
 Disabled
 Women, Children, Members of Large Families
 Lack of Education
2. Causes and Effects of Poverty
Cycle of Poverty, Economic Recession, Poor Education, Low-Paid Jobs, Family
Type, Social Problems, Increasing Cost of Living.
Reasons why Poverty continues to be a Feature of Modern Western
Society, to Include:
a) The Cycle of Poverty (Higher Level Only)
This suggests that children born into poverty inherit the values and behaviour of their parents. These include:
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Having a poor level of education
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Having few educational opportunities
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Living in poor housing
Living in a poor neighbourhood
Eating a poor diet
Having poor health facilities
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Marrying young
Having children at a young age
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Being dependent on social welfare
The children of people living in poverty tend not to have the same educational opportunities as children from better-off families. These children are then more likely to leave school early, be unemployed or work in low-paid jobs and the cycle continues as they go on to have children themselves.
b) The Influence of Social Policy on Poverty (Higher Level Only)
People who are dependent on social welfare benefits often believe that these benefits are equal to if not better than the wages they could receive from working. Therefore, our social policies in relation to unemployment can prevent people from returning to work. Individuals who have minimum wage
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jobs automatically lose out on benefits and therefore are unable to get out of the poverty trap.
c) The Cycle of Deprivation in the Families (Higher Level Only)
The cycle of deprivation involves factors in an individual’s life that can lead to further poverty. These factors are difficult if not impossible to overcome. This cycle often affects the next generation.
d) Geographical Areas (Higher Level Only)
The cycle of poverty is often a feature of living in certain areas
(i) Inner cities and urban areas of economic decline because of the high competition for jobs.
(ii) Isolated and undeveloped rural areas due to lack of jobs.
(iii) Large social housing estates due to high competition for jobs.
e) The Poverty Trap (Higher Level Only)
People who receive unemployment and other state benefits lose them if they return to work. If the wages they receive are less than the combined state benefits they might decide to continue living on state benefits where they receive more money. This situation is called the poverty trap.
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