Poverty as a Social Issue (AQA GCSE Sociology): Exam Questions

Peter Townsend felt that the government’s usual ways of measuring poverty did not show the real situation. At the time, the government often decided who was poor by checking whether someone earned below a set income level or qualified for certain benefits. Townsend argued that these measures could be influenced by political decisions and did not show how many people were actually living in poverty.

Townsend focused on the idea of relative deprivation. He believed that people are in poverty when they cannot afford the normal diet, activities or living conditions that most people in society take for granted.

To study this, Townsend led a large survey. His researchers used structured questionnaires to collect information from over 2,000 households and around 6,000 individuals from different parts of the UK. After analysing the results, Townsend estimated that about 25% of the population were living in poverty — much higher than the government’s figure of 7%.

Some sociologists have criticised Townsend’s ideas, arguing that relative deprivation is not always a reliable way to measure poverty or raising concerns about his research methods.

Food banks are run by charities and give food away for free to those in need of emergency food supplies. In recent years, there has been a sharp increase in the use of food banks. In particular, there have been more people using them who are in employment, but in low-paid jobs (the ‘working poor’). Some would argue that this is an indicator of an increase in poverty in the UK, as people cannot afford to buy the basic necessities to survive. This increased usage accounts for those both in and out of work. The Trussell Trust is a charity which runs food banks in the UK. In 2019, they released statistics showing the increase in usage of food banks over a five-year period.

Food banks are run by charities and give food away for free to those in need of emergency food supplies. In recent years, there has been a sharp increase in the use of food banks. In particular, there have been more people using them who are in employment, but in low-paid jobs (the ‘working poor’). Some would argue that this is an indicator of an increase in poverty in the UK, as people cannot afford to buy the basic necessities to survive. This increased usage accounts for those both in and out of work. The Trussell Trust is a charity which runs food banks in the UK. In 2019, they released statistics showing the increase in usage of food banks over a five-year period.

Charles Murray wrote about social welfare policies in America in the second half of the 20th century. He argued that these policies had not worked. In his view it had become too easy for some people to claim welfare support and as a consequence they failed to take responsibility for their own lives. At the same time others who deserved help were not given the support that they needed.

He proposed that national welfare programmes for those of working age should be replaced by locally managed systems. He believed this would lead to people changing their behaviour. For instance, unemployed young people would have to rely on support from their parents with whom they would probably continue to live. Many parents would not want their adult children living off their income and would encourage their children to learn skills and get a job.

Murray believed that when it was no longer considered socially acceptable for individuals to be dependent on welfare payments, people would be forced to become more independent and self-sufficient.

Source: Charles Murray, Losing Ground, Basic Books (1984)

Charles Murray wrote about social welfare policies in America in the second half of the 20th century. He argued that these policies had not worked. In his view it had become too easy for some people to claim welfare support and as a consequence they failed to take responsibility for their own lives. At the same time others who deserved help were not given the support that they needed.

He proposed that national welfare programmes for those of working age should be replaced by locally managed systems. He believed this would lead to people changing their behaviour. For instance, unemployed young people would have to rely on support from their parents with whom they would probably continue to live. Many parents would not want their adult children living off their income and would encourage their children to learn skills and get a job.

Murray believed that when it was no longer considered socially acceptable for individuals to be dependent on welfare payments, people would be forced to become more independent and self-sufficient.

Source: Charles Murray, Losing Ground, Basic Books (1984)