Social Work Essay

SociologyPoverty is an issue that many social workers are likely to address and tackle throughout practice. Cunningham & Cunningham, (2008) state that 'Social work service users are amongst the most impoverished people in Britain and for many, poverty defines their lives'. (p32) Poverty can result from a number of factors that include political, social and economic dynamics. This assignment shall be based on two sociological theories of poverty. The Individualistic theory; which blames the responsibility of being poor with the individuals themselves, and the Marxist theory which views poverty as a social problem that has been produced and reproduced by structural forces in society. This assignment shall explain why it is important for

In nearly every nation, certain conditions exist that put some members of society above others. These conditions may be based upon age, intelligence, ethnicity, gender or occupation, but often times economic statuses seem to be based on wealth. While the existence of these groups may be harmless, when preconceived-notions prevent the movement of people or groups between statuses, human resources are being wasted. This problem occurred during the WW1. While the economic/social status system in Western Europe did allow for a certain amount of mobility, distinctions among statuses were

Imagine being made fun of just because they were refugees, because you had to escape their old life, because they had to leave in order to escape a life where they were imprisoned inside their own home because of a raging war. Or maybe they were be made fun of because they had a different skin tone, or because they were the only girl in your class. These are all examples of social iniquities, times when someone may be the target of bigotry because of reasons they usually cannot control. These inequalities happen all around the world, and can happen in extreme or low amounts of it. And although social inequality has become a problem throughout the world, the topic still remains a threat to a better life.

This is a good example of how poverty is constructed as a social problem as if one is living in relative poverty, and cannot seek employment and is welfare dependent living off benefits, then the individual will be socially excluded in that they may not be able to afford to join certain social clubs, or get to remote public services and in general the issue of discrimination will stop people from joining certain activities and entering certain areas. ‘Social exclusion is a problem for society if there are those who are unable to take part in social relations, including in a democracy, political participation and involvement’ (Ridge, 2008:47).

In Workfare Ideology for a New Under-Class, Shragge has written a collaboration from those who view workfare as not only an idea that will undermine the poor but not achieve the goals they are trying to. He writes that workfare is what helps drive the notion of the deserving and undeserving poor, creating a greater inequality within the poor, categorizing them. Those who are of able body and not working must complete the “requirements” to receive help/benefits. He argues that workfare punishes the poor, it turns welfare from a right to a type of paid work. Wilkinson and Pickett’s piece explores a more global view of poverty and the inequalities within our society that increases poverty. This piece adds to Shragge’s argument with evidence supporting the notion of

The term social exclusion is widely contested (Parkin, 1979) as the term itself has no definitive definition. It is suggested the term social exclusion is used to refer to the term poverty or inequality (Levitas, 1996) as it has become the more fashionable terminology (Blakemore and

Social inequality is the difference in access to resources like housing or jobs among people of different social class, age, race, or gender. This relates to poverty because people in poverty are usually kept in that status because of social inequality. For instance, it is easier for someone who was born into a family with some financial stability to receive a college degree and thus increase their own financial standing while it is harder for an individual who is homeless or in poverty to even think about going to college. This idea is further developed when examining the life of a girl named Dasani. Dasani was born into poverty in Fort Greene, a neighborhood in New York City (Elliot 1). She is already disadvantaged in life because of her position; homeless children are among the least likely group to complete high school and are most likely to repeat their parent’s mistakes.

Another way which poverty causes a social divide is in though education - “Who you are in Scotland

1. GOAL STATEMENT – To enhance Ohio law and equality among transgender people by allowing the amendment of legal documents to reflect the current sex after undergoing surgical procedures to change one’s sex.

2.1 explain factors that may contribute to loss of independence, non-participation and social exclusion for vulnerable users of services in health and social care?

In the movie The Preacher kid, Angie King is a character who plays preacher daughter. By her father been a preacher, she has values and rules that she must obey. Somewhere down the road Angie King decide that she doesn’t want to be label as a preacher child and follow her dad values and rules. Mrs. King wants to join a traveling gospel show; however, her dad doesn’t want her to join traveling gospel group. Mr. King knows that she can’t handle all the circumstances and situations that she may occur out there on her own. King decides to leave her family and friends behind. Once Angie gets out on her own she forgets all the values, morals and rules that her dad instill in her. Angie starts using drugs and start having intercourse with the

“Social exclusion refers to the marginalisation that can be experienced when people are unable to participate fully in the society in which they live.” (CHASE, 2005)

Those who don’t have equal opportunity are considered “strains” thus more likely to be a delinquent. People have differential means available for achieving these culturally supported goals. Some have blocked opportunities, maybe because of class location or socioeconomic status, but also because of race, ethnicity, or gender discrimination. As a consequence these individuals are unable to achieve their goals through legitimate means. Society offers members of different social group’s very different institutional means of achieving its goals such as opportunities for education regardless of ability, fulfilling work, and financial aid. A gap between effort and reward makes it impossible for some people to set realistic, achievable goals or to plan legitimate ways of achieving their goals. People can break out of this system but it is not easy. For example, imagine a fisherman casting his net over the side of the boat, while the net is designed to catch certain fish it cannot catch all of them no matter what some of the fishes will escape or avoid the net. This analogy represents the social theory structure where some people can break through poverty while the odds for other are too great to overcome. Subculture plays a big part in increasing or decreasing the chances of an individual to break out of poverty. Subculture is a set of values, norms and beliefs that differs from those within the dominant culture. If a person

Penny is a very sweet and happy girl who enjoys daily preschool learning activities. She is passionate about arts and crafts and loves to play with playdough at school. She also enjoys playing with unit theme related puzzles and shows her pleasure with big smile as she completes each puzzle. She is an active participant of adult directed learning tasks: such as, music and movement, calendar, weather, sound of the week circle, social circle, and table time activities.

In rich countries, low socioeconomic position means poor education, unemployment and job insecurity, poor working conditions, and unsafe neighbourhoods, with their consequent impact on family life.