Social Exclusion

Social Exclusion

Introduction

Social exclusion can be more easily defined in terms of a process in which particular groups undergo through systematic disadvantages as they are categorized on the basis of their caste, creed, religion, colour, gender, age, disability, on the basis of their migrant status and their residence (DFID, 2005). This kind of discrimination can arise anywhere be it schools or any other educational firm or even in health and social institutions. Social exclusion now is a disputable term as it is not only used to demote a wide array of the phenomenon, but it also covers the processes related to adversity and scarcity (Peace R, 2001).

The Risk of Poverty and Social Exclusion In UK

Poverty is generally the result of low income. It can be defined as the household income below than 60% of the median for the year. Poverty is usually the outcome of society matters as well as the government change of laws (Aldridge H. et al, 2012). The following chart illustrates the different groups afflicted by poverty:

GROUP

PROPORTION IN LOW INCOME

1981

1991

2000-2001

2010-2011

Children

20%

31%

31%

37%

Employed adults with children

16%

25%

25%

24%

Employed adults without children

7%

15%

16%

20%

Pensioners

22%

35%

25%

17%

Table 1: Proportion of low income in different age groups.

Retrieved from: http://www.jrf.org.uk/sites/files/jrf/poverty-exclusion-government-policy-summary.pdf

Problems such as underemployment and increasing health inequalities cannot be solved by changes in the benefit system. In UK, the people at risk of poverty can be proportioned by a decrease from 17.1% to 16.2% monitored in the year 2010 and 2011 respectively. A major decline in disposable income was recorded for those aged below 18, and there was a decline by about 2.3% points.

Fig 1: UK and EU Average at Risk-Of-Poverty Rates for Total Population for the Year 2005-2011 (Retrieved From: http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/dcp171776_295020.pdf).

Lack of certain resources may lead to mental deprivation, which ultimately results in relatively high poverty rates. Mental deprivation arises as a result of the lack of any four of the following resources: 1. People who are unable to pay their loans, rent or mortgages are majorly triggered by mental deprivation. 2. Who are unable to afford meat or other kind of proteins regularly. 3. Who are unable to keep their homes warm. 4. Those who cannot afford the basic necessities such as TV, car or a telephone. 5. Those people who face unexpected financial crisis or other expanses that go out of their budgets.

Fig 2: % of people who are unable to afford items in UK (2005-2011)

Retrieved From: http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/dcp171776_295020.pdf

Some of the common exclusionary processes are political, economic, social and cultural exclusion. All these four factors are quite interlinked with each other and one of them maybe the cause of social exclusion. It promotes a wide variety of complexities of influences on individuals at different aspects of life. Therefore, social exclusion can be eradicated by two key factors: opportunity and contributory processes. Furthermore, a comprehensive policy approach can be provided in the major arenas of life of health, education and housing. Policies should be introduced for availing new opportunities and take advantage of already available opportunities (Peace R., July ...