Some sociologists suggest poverty exists because of structural factors. This means the organisation of society creates inequality. For example, Marxist sociologists argue that governments often operate in the interests of the wealthy by protecting private property and failing to provide support to those living in poverty.
Other sociologists suggest that it is the attitudes and behaviour of individuals that lead to poverty.Applying material from Item H and your knowledge, evaluate the view that poverty is caused by structural factors.
AQA
A Level
2024
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Essay Outline: Poverty and Structural Factors
This essay will evaluate the view that poverty is primarily caused by structural factors, drawing on Item H and sociological perspectives. It will explore both sides of the debate, examining how social structures contribute to inequality and whether individual factors also play a role.
Introduction
Introduce the debate surrounding the causes of poverty. Briefly define poverty and highlight the significance of the question. Mention the specific sociological perspectives to be discussed (e.g., Marxism, Social Democracy, New Right, Functionalism, Feminism).
Body Paragraph 1: Structural Factors and Marxist Perspective
Focus: Explain how Marxist theory suggests that poverty is inherently linked to the capitalist system and its structures. Evidence:
- Use Item H to illustrate how governments may prioritize the interests of the wealthy, e.g., through tax policies or lack of social welfare programs.
- Explain the concept of exploitation and how it contributes to poverty.
- Discuss the role of social class and access to resources in perpetuating inequality.
Body Paragraph 2: Social Democratic and Functionalist Perspectives
Focus: Explore alternative perspectives on structural factors. Evidence:
- Explain how Social Democratic views acknowledge the role of the state in addressing inequalities and providing social safety nets.
- Discuss how Functionalist theory might suggest that poverty serves a function in society (e.g., providing low-wage labor).
Body Paragraph 3: Individualistic Perspective and the New Right
Focus: Introduce the opposing viewpoint that individual factors contribute to poverty. Evidence:
- Explain the New Right perspective, which emphasizes individual responsibility, work ethic, and the role of welfare dependency in perpetuating poverty.
- Mention potential individual factors like education, skills, and personal choices.
Body Paragraph 4: Feminist Perspectives and Intersectionality
Focus: Examine the intersectionality of poverty and gender. Evidence:
- Discuss how feminist perspectives highlight the gendered nature of poverty, with women disproportionately affected by issues like pay gaps, caregiving responsibilities, and domestic violence.
- Explain how intersectionality emphasizes the interplay of multiple social factors (e.g., race, class, gender) in shaping poverty experiences.
Conclusion
Synthesis: Summarize the arguments presented and evaluate the view that poverty is primarily caused by structural factors. Evaluation: Conclude whether the evidence supports the view that structural factors are the primary cause of poverty. Acknowledge the potential limitations of this view and acknowledge the role of individual factors, but reiterate the importance of addressing structural inequalities. Further Development: Briefly mention potential policy implications for addressing poverty and reducing inequality.
Key Concepts
- Social Stratification
- Social Mobility
- Class Inequality
- Capitalism
- Exploitation
- Social Welfare
- Gendered Poverty
- Intersectionality
Sociological Perspectives on Poverty: Evaluating the Role of Structural Factors
The persistence of poverty in societies characterized by vast wealth and resources remains a pressing social issue. While some attribute poverty to individual failings, a compelling body of sociological evidence suggests that structural factors play a significant role in creating and perpetuating poverty. This essay will critically evaluate this view, drawing on Item H and wider sociological knowledge to examine how societal structures contribute to economic inequality and disadvantage.
Marxist Perspectives on Structural Inequality
Marxist sociologists argue that the capitalist system itself is inherently unequal and generates poverty as a by-product. As Item H highlights, they contend that governments, often influenced by powerful economic elites, prioritize the protection of private property and wealth accumulation over the needs of the poor. This focus on capital accumulation leads to policies that benefit the wealthy, such as tax breaks for corporations, while neglecting social safety nets for low-income individuals.
Furthermore, Marxists emphasize the exploitative nature of the capitalist labor market. Workers, particularly those in low-wage jobs, are often paid less than the value they create, with the surplus value extracted as profit for the capitalist class. This systematic exploitation keeps wages low and contributes to the cycle of poverty, particularly for those lacking valuable skills or education.
Social Democratic and Feminist Critiques
While agreeing with the importance of structural factors, social democratic perspectives emphasize the role of government in mitigating poverty. They argue that welfare programs, social housing, and robust public services are essential to redistribute wealth and provide opportunities for social mobility. They criticize inadequate welfare provision and the erosion of public services, arguing that these exacerbate poverty and inequality.
Feminist sociologists highlight how structural inequalities based on gender intersect with class to create a heightened risk of poverty for women. They point to the gender pay gap, the overrepresentation of women in low-wage and part-time work, and the burden of unpaid care work as factors that disproportionately disadvantage women, particularly single mothers.
New Right and the Culture of Poverty
In contrast, New Right perspectives, while acknowledging the existence of structural inequalities, often emphasize the role of individual responsibility and cultural factors in perpetuating poverty. They argue that a "culture of dependency" on welfare benefits discourages work ethic and self-reliance.
However, this perspective has been criticized for blaming the victims of poverty and overlooking the systemic barriers they face. Critics argue that focusing on individual behavior ignores the structural constraints, such as limited job opportunities, inadequate education, and lack of affordable housing, that trap people in poverty.
Conclusion: The Complex Interplay of Structure and Agency
In conclusion, attributing poverty solely to individual shortcomings ignores the powerful influence of structural factors. As Marxist, social democratic, and feminist perspectives highlight, the organization of the economy, government policies, and social inequalities based on class and gender create and perpetuate poverty. While individual agency and cultural factors certainly play a role, it is crucial to recognize the systemic barriers that individuals often face. Addressing poverty effectively requires a multi-faceted approach that tackles both structural inequalities and provides individuals with the opportunities and resources to escape the cycle of poverty.
Some sociologists suggest poverty exists because of structural factors. This means the organisation of society creates inequality. For example, Marxist sociologists argue that governments often operate in the interests of the wealthy by protecting private property and failing to provide support to those living in poverty.
Other sociologists suggest that it is the attitudes and behaviour of individuals that lead to poverty.Applying material from Item H and your knowledge, evaluate the view that poverty is caused by structural factors.
Free Mark Scheme Extracts
Answers in this band will show:
Sound, conceptually detailed knowledge of a range of relevant material on the view that poverty is caused by structural factors.
Sophisticated understanding of the question and of the presented material will be shown.
Appropriate material will be applied accurately and with sensitivity to the issues raised by the question.
Analysis and evaluation will be:
Explicit and relevant. Evaluation may be developed, for example through a debate between different perspectives on the causes of poverty (eg Marxism, Social Democratic, New Right, functionalism, feminisms).
Analysis will show clear explanation.
Appropriate conclusions will be drawn.