Using one example, briefly explain one problem of using a relative definition of poverty.
AQA
A Level
2024
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Essay Outline: The Problem of Using a Relative Definition of Poverty
Introduction
Introduce the concept of poverty and the two main definitions: absolute and relative poverty. Briefly explain the relative definition of poverty.
Body Paragraph 1: Difficulty in Constructing a Measure
Explain the difficulty in constructing a measure for relative poverty.
Provide examples of how different societies may define necessities and luxuries differently.
Link this to the problem of comparing poverty levels across different societies.
Body Paragraph 2: Subjectivity and Lack of Objectivity
Explain that relative poverty involves subjective judgments about what constitutes a "decent" standard of living.
Provide examples of how these judgments can vary based on cultural norms, individual values, and societal expectations.
Explain how this subjectivity makes it difficult to objectively measure poverty.
Body Paragraph 3: Comparisons Over Time
Explain the difficulty in comparing poverty levels across different time periods using a relative definition.
Provide examples of how societal norms and expectations change over time, leading to different definitions of what constitutes a "decent" standard of living.
Illustrate how these shifting definitions make it challenging to accurately compare poverty rates across generations.
Example:
Example: Using the UK as an example, explain how the relative poverty line is based on a percentage of median income. This means that the definition of poverty can fluctuate based on changes in median income. For example, if a family living on £20,000 per year is considered to be in poverty when the median income is £30,000, that same family might not be considered in poverty if the median income rises to £40,000. This shows how the relative definition of poverty can be affected by changes in the overall wealth of a society and makes comparisons over time difficult.
Conclusion
Summarize the main problems of using a relative definition of poverty: difficulty in constructing a measure, subjectivity, and challenges in making comparisons over time.
Conclude by stating that while the relative definition has its limitations, it can be useful for understanding the social and economic inequalities that exist within societies.
Relative Poverty: Challenges in Definition and Measurement
Defining poverty as a relative concept, while seemingly intuitive, presents significant challenges in its application. This essay will explore the problem of subjectivity in defining necessities, highlighting the difficulties in constructing a consistent and reliable measure of relative poverty.
Relative poverty hinges on the idea that individuals or households are considered poor in relation to the prevailing living standards of their society. While this acknowledges the social and economic context of poverty, it introduces a significant element of subjectivity. What constitutes a "necessity" as opposed to a "luxury" can vary greatly depending on cultural norms, societal expectations, and even individual preferences. For instance, access to the internet and a smartphone might be considered essential for social participation and access to opportunities in a developed economy, while being perceived as luxuries in a less technologically advanced context.
This inherent subjectivity makes it difficult to construct a hard to construct measure of relative poverty that is both accurate and consistent. Policymakers and researchers are forced to make subjective judgements about what should be included in a "basket of goods" deemed essential for a decent standard of living. This opens the door to biases and value judgements, potentially excluding certain groups or needs that are not deemed important from the dominant societal perspective.
Furthermore, the relative nature of this definition makes comparisons over time can be difficult. As societal standards and expectations evolve, so too do the goods and services considered essential. What was considered a luxury a few decades ago might be considered a necessity today. This fluidity in defining "necessities" makes it challenging to track changes in poverty levels over time, as the very definition of poverty itself is in constant flux.
In conclusion, while the concept of relative poverty aims to capture the social dimension of deprivation, its reliance on subjective judgements about necessities creates significant challenges. The difficulty in constructing a consistent measure, coupled with the constantly evolving nature of societal norms, makes it difficult to accurately assess and compare poverty levels using a purely relative approach.
Free Mark Scheme Extracts
Hard to construct measure
(1 mark); difficulty in deciding what are necessities rather than luxuries (+1 mark)
Not objective
(1 mark); involves subjective judgements about what should be included (+1 mark)
Comparisons over time can be difficult
(1 mark); because definitions can change over time (+1 mark).