"Assess the view that identify the main causes of poverty as being within the individuals themselves or in the characteristics of the subculture to which they belong".

This theory therefore provides evidence that if the poor adapt a more positive culture, then there would be no absolute poverty in society since everyone would have enough to attain a better standard of living which would therefore cause less public spending on the provision of benefits since everyone would have enough to physically survive. This in effect would eradicate poverty to an extent.

         On the other hand this theoretical explanation fails to account for the fact that, the existence of poverty could be caused by another source other than the individuals themselves. This other source to be considered would be society. It may not be so obvious straightaway, but it depends on how it is assessed. Lack of employment, low wages, social stratification, capitalism, etc, which are caused by society, are different ways and means through which society could make situations or living unbearable for individuals. This thereby causes them to adapt to this subculture thus perpetuating poverty in the society.

This view is further supported with evidence from the work of Elliot Liebow (a sociologist), who argues in favour of the fact that it is society that causes poverty and not individuals. He proves this from research he carried out among Black men In Washington, where he realised that they did accept mainstream values but because of their situational constraints of being poor, they never succeeded in accomplishing these mainstream values.

Also, as argued by other sociologist, if you were born into a deprived background, ie; poor housing, poor diet, etc, it was very difficult to escape this cycle. Hence you would go through this cycle into adulthood and it might continue through your children, which puts no end to the cycle. Thus it could be said that it is social, economic and environmental factors that prevent the poor behaving as other members of society.

        In conclusion, evidence provided above may justify the fact that poverty is caused by the individuals themselves within society but from the other side if the coin, this may be far from the truth.

Bibliography:

• Moore S, Chapman S, Aiken D (2001); Sociology for AS level, London; Collins

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      -     Class Notes

Approximate right up time  ➔   28mins.