ESSAY

Essay

Essay

2. What is poverty? With reference to social policy, discuss strategies that can be adopted in order to reduce poverty in UK society.

Poverty was described as a social evil because of its debilitating effects on people's lives. This was reflected in the testimonies of the unheard groups, where poverty was described as a trap - a constraining force that prevents people from achieving their aspirations.” (Nash B. 2007 Pp. 193-195)

Participants suggested that poverty was closely intertwined with other social evils. For example, they described how, in a deprived community, making money from drug dealing can seem an appealing option to young people, reflecting the notion of poverty.

There was widespread concern about inequality - the polarisation of society into 'haves' and 'have nots'. People felt that growing inequality in Britain is socially divisive and morally wrong, partly because income differences do not always reflect people's efforts. Participants in the unheard groups added a different perspective. They recognised that people doing well would welcome growing affluence, but noted that there was a whole swathe of people not benefiting.

While some participants expressed a sense of disillusionment and hopelessness, others talked about personal responsibility for getting ahead in life. (Jacques Smith 2007 Pp. 123-125)

Some comments from the consultation

“Even though on average the UK has become more affluent, there is a poor distribution of wealth. The rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer!” (Jacques Smith 2007 Pp. 125) “Inequality…This is one of the root causes of the increase in crime and in dissatisfaction in modern society. I believe that a more equal society would make everyone happier, both rich and poor.” (William Swade 2008 Pp. 146)

It is important to reinforce the idea that charitable donations are a moral responsiblity and the very rich should be shamed into giving. Poor people give a greater percentage of their meagre resources than do the rich. Perhaps we need a modern day Robin Hood!

The growing enequality is storing up a time bomb for our society,the word fairness has been lost by the people who run our country, once we could rely on a Labour government to support and help out the most vulnerable of our society, that is no longer true, Labour is now more interested in big business, it has forgotten the working class man or woman who struggles everyday to survive.

Labour actually wants a certain amount of people to remain in poverty because it gives them power, people in poverty lack the one thing that people who are financially secure have? yes, thats right, the word is choice, choice gives people freedom, sadly in our society today we have a class of people who are living like modern day slaves, the poor have no choice, we have to take what we are given and supposedly be grateful for whatever crumbs we are handed out. (William Swade 2008 Pp. 144)

In Great Britain today we have people who have to make the choice between eating and keeping warm,how can a government be so complacent as to allow ...