Week 3 PP notes Child Poverty and Government Policy

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Toronto Metropolitan University *

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900

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Sociology

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Jan 9, 2024

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SLIDE 1: Child Poverty and Government Policy: The Contesting of Symbolic Power in Newspaper Constructions of Families in Need Week 3 Slides Notes CYC 900- Diversity Issues SLIDE 2: (Quote ) Understanding Poverty: Media Influence and Socioeconomic Narratives in Canada. Knowledge and insight on the lives of . . . poor people . . . is [often] derived from mediated experience, what we read in newspapers, what we hear on radio, what we see on television (Power,1999, p. 79).  The quote emphasizes that our understanding of poverty is heavily influenced by societal messages, TV images, and newspaper reports.  These sources shape our perceptions of poverty, even if we have no direct experience with impoverished communities.  It suggests that media portrayals may not always reflect the actual lives of people in poverty.  The quote draws parallels with social constructions related to race and gender, indicating that notions of poverty are also socially constructed by those in positions of power.  Key questions raised include: Who constructs the narrative of poverty? Who makes decisions for the economically marginalized? Is poverty a result of capitalism, and is it a genuine issue? Who constructs the narrative of poverty?  Society often portrays those who are poor in a negative and stigmatizing light.  Common words and stereotypes used to describe the poor include "lazy," "dirty," and "unwilling to work."  These stereotypes are perpetuated by various sources, including the media and people in positions of power who shape the narrative around poverty.  Different forms of work and ways of living have varying levels of meaning and value.  Jobs in factories, for example, are often undervalued and come with low wages, minimal benefits, and limited opportunities for advancement.  People in economically marginalized communities often work exceptionally hard for limited rewards.  Labeling the poor as lazy fails to accurately reflect the realities of economic marginalization.  It's essential to challenge these stereotypes and work towards a more empathetic and accurate understanding of the experiences of those living in poverty. Who makes decisions for those who are economically marginalized?

 - Decisions for economically marginalized individuals are typically made by those who control the economy, like business owners.  - These decision-makers determine wages, work hours, and benefits for employees.  - Profit motives often lead to reduced benefits and higher product prices, further burdening workers.  - This lack of control over decisions has severe consequences, as low-wage workers struggle to afford essentials like medications and dental care.  - Families are forced to make difficult choices between rent, food, and medical/dental care.  - Those in power structure economic decisions to maintain their advantages and perpetuate social inequalities. How does poverty happen?  - Poverty signifies a lack of financial resources for a minimum standard of living.  - This standard includes meeting basic needs like food, housing, and healthcare.  - The root cause of poverty is related to economic power dynamics.  - Those with economic power control job markets, wages, and profit margins.  - Poverty is not a natural state but a consequence of human decisions made to preserve the wealth of the powerful. Is poverty an issue in Canada? Within the Canadian context, it's essential to consider various measures and factors related to poverty:  Low Income Cut Off (LICO): This is a key measure in Canada, representing the minimum income a family needs to afford basic necessities like food, clothing, and shelter.  Cost of Living: The cost of living varies across different regions in Canada, affecting how much income is required to cover essential expenses, including housing, electricity, and water.  Geographical Context: Understanding the specific geographical context in which people live helps provide a comprehensive view of poverty markers in Canada. Two important terms to consider in discussions of poverty in Canada are: 1. Absolute Poverty: This refers to individuals or families falling below the low income cut-off score, where they cannot afford a basic basket of necessities, especially food. 2. Relative Poverty: Relative poverty is a concept that considers one's economic status in comparison to those around them. For instance, even in a wealthy neighborhood, if a family has the lowest income, they may be considered poor relative to their neighbors. SLIDE 3: What have you heard about people who receive welfare?

 . - Stereotypes about people on social assistance, including laziness and cheating the system, are perpetuated by various media platforms.  This quote from the reading highlights how those in poverty have their images constructed by others, which often reinforces public biases and justifies punitive government policies. “What is evident in such processes is that those living in poverty are not constructing their own images (Couldry & Curran, 2002); rather, they are constructed by others in a manner that often appeals to public prejudices and legitimates punitive government policy responses. (Barnet, et al 2007, p. 297)”  In Canada, cost-cutting measures often involve reducing funding for education, child support, child welfare, and programs in lower-income communities.  Governments rely on the belief that people in poverty are unwilling to work hard, aligning with a capitalist system that emphasizes self-reliance and competitiveness.  These funding cuts disproportionately impact those already living in poverty. SLIDE 5: Constructions of the poor Conservative – construction of the poor as individuals who choose not to participate economically; notions of underservingness  Perspectives play a crucial role in shaping our beliefs about people living in poverty.  The conservative perspective often characterizes the poor as individuals who choose not to participate in the economy, as undeserving, and tied to notions of merit.  However, this perspective tends to overlook the significant challenges faced by economically marginalized individuals, including limited control over wages and benefits in low-paying jobs.  Government decisions, such as the removal of sick days, can compel people to work even when they are ill, which can contribute to the spread of diseases like COVID-19.  The COVID-19 crisis serves as a stark reminder of how decisions made by those in power can disproportionately affect lower-income communities, leading to higher rates of disease transmission and highlighting the importance of addressing these disparities. - Different perspectives shape our views and beliefs about the poor.  A conservative perspective often portrays poor individuals as choosing not to participate in the economy, ascribes notions of undeservingness, and emphasizes meritocracy.

 This perspective overlooks the challenges faced by those in economically marginalized environments, such as limited control over wages, benefits, and time off.  Government decisions can impact the lives of the poor, such as removing sick days to encourage work, leading to people working while sick and potentially spreading illnesses like COVID-19.  In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, people in lower-income communities who couldn't work from home were more exposed to the virus, leading to higher disease rates in these areas. Liberalist – victims of systemic inequities who need to be cared for – infantilising.  A more liberal perspective on poverty views those in poverty as victims of systemic inequity who require care and support.  This viewpoint can infantilize people in poverty and make decisions on their behalf, including resource allocation and programming.  The problem with this perspective is that it often doesn't involve the input of those directly affected, resulting in top-down decision-making. The solutions are based on the perspective one takes.  Regardless of the perspective taken, economically marginalized individuals are often treated as objects rather than as individuals with agency, the ability to make informed decisions about their lives. Those who are economically marginalized are treated as objects to be defined rather than subjects with agency.  Recognizing that people have agency should lead to involving them in decision-making and giving them opportunities to voice their needs, rather than decisions being solely made by those in power. Constructions of identities are related to notions of power.  The construction of ideas about poverty is closely tied to notions of power and who holds it in society. SLIDE 6: Poverty and Child Welfare Health & Wellbeing

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