Identify and describe one example of a social group who are more likely to experience poverty.
AQA
GCSE
2022
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Sociology A-Level Essay Outline: Social Groups and Poverty
Introduction
Define poverty (e.g., relative vs. absolute). Briefly introduce the social factors contributing to poverty (e.g., education, employment, discrimination). State the essay's focus: exploring [Choose one social group: women OR a specific ethnic minority group OR young people] and their heightened risk of poverty.
Body Paragraph 1: [Chosen Social Group] and the Cycle of Disadvantage
Clearly identify the specific social group. Explain how historical and social factors have led to disadvantages for this group (e.g., systemic discrimination, limited access to resources). Provide statistics or evidence to support claims of disadvantage (e.g., wage gaps, unemployment rates, educational attainment).
Body Paragraph 2: [Chosen Social Group] and Barriers to Economic Mobility
Analyze specific barriers hindering the chosen group's economic progress. If focusing on women: Discuss gender pay gap, occupational segregation, childcare responsibilities, and the feminization of poverty. If focusing on an ethnic minority: Explore institutional racism, discrimination in housing and employment, cultural barriers, and language barriers. If focusing on young people: Analyze youth unemployment rates, lack of experience and skills, the impact of NEET status, and educational inequalities. Use sociological concepts like social capital, cultural capital, and social mobility to explain these barriers.
Body Paragraph 3: Hidden Poverty and [Chosen Social Group]
Define 'hidden poverty' and its relevance to the chosen group. If focusing on women: Explain how women might experience poverty within households or be disproportionately affected by benefit cuts. If focusing on an ethnic minority: Discuss the concentration of poverty within certain communities and the challenges in accessing support. If focusing on young people: Explore the hidden poverty of young people living in precarious housing situations or relying on food banks.
Conclusion
Summarize the key arguments about how and why the chosen social group is disproportionately affected by poverty. Briefly discuss the potential solutions or interventions to address these inequalities (e.g., policy changes, anti-discrimination measures, targeted support programs). Conclude with a final thought on the importance of understanding and addressing social factors contributing to poverty.
Social Groups and Poverty: A Focus on Young People
Poverty, a multifaceted issue, disproportionately affects certain social groups. While factors like gender and ethnicity contribute to poverty disparities, this essay will focus on young people as a group significantly susceptible to economic hardship. By examining statistics and exploring contributing factors such as youth unemployment, educational disparities, and inadequate support systems, this essay will analyze the complex relationship between youth and poverty.
High Levels of Youth Unemployment and NEETs
A key indicator of the challenges faced by young people is the disproportionately high rate of youth unemployment. Statistics consistently show that young people face significantly higher unemployment rates compared to the general population. This disparity is often attributed to factors like lack of work experience, age discrimination, and limited access to job opportunities. Furthermore, a significant number of young people fall under the category of NEETs (Not in Education, Employment, or Training). NEETs often face multiple barriers to employment and education, such as social exclusion, lack of qualifications, and mental health issues, trapping them in a cycle of poverty.
Educational Disparities and Limited Opportunities
Educational attainment plays a crucial role in social mobility and escaping poverty. However, young people from disadvantaged backgrounds often face educational disparities that hinder their future prospects. They may attend underfunded schools, experience a lack of access to quality education, or encounter social pressures that lead to early school leaving. These factors can limit their job prospects and increase their likelihood of experiencing poverty in adulthood.
Inadequate Support Systems and Social Safety Nets
Young people facing poverty often lack adequate support systems. Families struggling financially may not have the resources to provide essential support to their children. Additionally, social safety nets and welfare programs designed to assist those in need can be inaccessible or insufficient for young people, leaving them vulnerable to economic hardship. This lack of support can perpetuate a cycle of poverty that is difficult to break free from.
Conclusion
In conclusion, young people represent a social group disproportionately affected by poverty. High youth unemployment rates, coupled with the prevalence of NEETs, highlight the economic challenges faced by this demographic. Educational disparities and inadequate support systems further exacerbate the problem, creating a cycle of poverty that can have long-term consequences. Addressing youth poverty requires comprehensive solutions, including tackling youth unemployment, investing in education and skills training, and strengthening social safety nets to ensure that young people have equal opportunities to thrive and achieve economic security.
Free Mark Scheme Extracts
Women
Women are eg less likely to have the earning power of men and more likely to live in ‘hidden poverty’.
Groups within ethnic minorities
eg certain groups less likely to do well in school, live in high poverty areas etc.
Young people
eg there are high levels of youth unemployment, NEETs (Not in Education, Employment, or Training) etc.