Do the poor only have themselves to blame for their poverty?
Do the poor only have themselves to blame for their poverty? One of the most popular explanations in the 19th century for poverty was that the poor only have themselves to blame. It was believed if people got themselves into poverty it was their responsibility to get themselves out of it? "However, few would go as far as the 9th century sociologist Herbert Spencer and argue that any attempt by the state to alleviate poverty would lead to laziness and moral decline." Taylor, P. Richardson, J. Yeo, A. Marsh, I. Trobe, K. Pilkington, A. (1995: 182) In this essay I will be discussing the sociological explanations for the causes of poverty. There are two different types of explanations for the causes of poverty. Firstly dependency-based explanations, the argument the poor are in some way the cause of their own poverty. Secondly exclusion- based explanations, "the poor are poor because they are prevented from achieving a reasonable standard of living by the actions of the more powerful in society." Moore, S. Chapman, S. Aiken, D. (2001: 141) As mentioned earlier dependency-based explanations stress that those in poverty are there because they failed themselves or the particular social group they belonged to. Stephen Moore (1996) it is argued that people who are poor are in that state because of some personal or cultural deficiency. Essentially saying
Assess the extent to which there are a variety of masculine and feminism identities in modern advanced UK society.
Sarah Zaman 24 September2003 Masculine And FEMMINE Identities In Modern Advanced UK Society Q. Assess the extent to which there are a variety of masculine and feminism identities in modern advanced UK society. In to day advanced modern society in the UK it has a variety of both masculine and femmine, identities. Many would argue against and many would argue for the points I am going to make as many people have their own point of view. There are three types of masculinity. The three are complicit masculinity, subordinate masculinity and marginalized masculinity. Complicit masculinity is when men believe that both women and men should have shared roles within families. Such men liked that still benefit and take advantage from what they call "the patriarchal dividend" in other word calling themselves the male head of the family, males could not live without the title. Even in such a households the woman is still responsible for the lions share of housework and especially bringing up the children. Subordinate masculinity is referred to homosexual men. These types of men have feelings or involving sexual attraction to
What is new about the family and how can sociologists explain it?
What is new about the family and how can sociologists explain it? SOCIOLOGY OF THE FAMILY SSS010N112A What is new about the family and how can sociologists explain it? Diana Gittens (1985) describes the modern nuclear family as a small unit consisting of a married couple or at least one parent and small child. Sociologists claim that the family is a universal social institution and therefore it must do something vital for human beings. Functionalists attempt to define the family on the basis of the functions that the family perform. In 1949, George Peter Murdock defined the family as "a social group characterised by common residence, economic co-operation and reproduction". He went onto describe four main functions of the family, which included sexual relationships, economic co-operation among members, reproduction and the socialisation of infants and children. Sexual relationships are governed by norms in all societies. Some societies have strict ideas about this behaviour, others impose very few limitations. Families play a very important role in establishing stated norms and promoting them. Most societies typically prohibit sexual intercourse within the family, but beyond that, there is great variation among societies around the world. In the majority of societies, the economic well-being of dependent children lies primarily within the family unit, with the
Anti-globalisation
Anti-globalisation movements: a case of anarchism? Introduction The term globalisation is highly contentious and contested, defined in various ways by scholars and those affected by it. It usually describes important changes occurring to global economic structures and the effect these changes are having on national and global economies, various cultures and politics. Globalisation has its supporters and opponents. Its opponents however been more vocal and have articulated their opposition in more visible, expressive and combative ways. This therefore explains the high visibility of the anti-globalisation movement, also known as the global justice movement with its diversity of participants and different forms of dissent. This movement represents the people's resistance against the adverse impacts of globalisation underpinned by neo-liberal values (Curran, 2006). The so-called "anti-globalisation movement" showcases a significant illustration of social conflict and contentious political behavior for the past few decades in history. A growing number of boisterous and well-attended protest events against the neoliberal globalisation these days have provided evidence of the rise of a transnational movement where domestic and internationally-represented protests have developed solidarities and stirred public debate committed to challenging neoliberal policies and institutions
Saint Benedict
Saint Benedict was born in Nursia, a small town in Umbria, in north central Italy, in 480 to an upper-class family. Saint Benedict went to Rome to finish his education, where the power of the voice without foundation in the heart was the goal of the student's education. Saint Benedict became dominated by the study of rhetoric, which an successful speaker was not one who had the best argument or conveyed the truth, but one who used rhythm, eloquence and technique to convince. However, this philosophy of speaking to people without anything from the heart disgraced Saint Benedict. Not being able to continue with an education that taught the speakers to deceive their listeners Benedict fled Rome giving up his inheritance and lived as a hermit near Subiaco. After living for a while as a hermit, he was approached by some monks who wanted him to be their leader and guide. Subsequently he founded additional monasteries, most notably Monte Cassino near Naples where he wrote his Rule for Monasteries. He is viewed as the Father of Western Monasticism and is special benefactor of Europe where Benedict's monks played a unique role in preserving Roman civilization and culture through the medieval times. Monasteries in all parts of the world look upon Benedict as their Father. Saint Benedict wrote his Rule for all who wanted to become monks. The Rule is comprised of brief details
Investigative Journalism.
Investigative Journalism What does the investigative story involve? . Fact-finding - not just opinion sampling 2. Wrongdoing - can mean breaking rules or endangering life or livelihood or both 3. Secrecy - often secret to the majority but known about by those closely affected 4. Public interest - not just tittle tattle 5. Stress - even danger, anxiety and the perception of trouble-making. So... 6. Care! 7. Time and patience. Just look at the list of processes below. How to decide if a story is worth the effort. Look at the six facts above and imagine each has a scale of 1-10. The more your story hits the 10 end of the scale in each category, the more worthwhile it is. If you don't hit more than 5/10 in most categories, dump it. Or think again about the question. What does it take to work investigatively? . Question. Focus on the question to be investigated. It may change but there must be a clear question as the starting point. Eg. 'Is this hospital using expired drugs?' 2. Clear-cut Methods. Checking allegations, checking rules that govern the area under investigation, getting reaction from all interest group concerned. Eg. 'Get a lab assistant or pharmacist to check if the drugs are ineffective/old/decayed'. 3. Measurement. Use the information you get to measure the problem as precisely as possible. The more accurate you can be, the easier it is to get answers.
Why does Rawls reject meritocracy?
Why does Rawls reject meritocracy? John Rawls' A Theory of Justice1 is the most significant work of political philosophy published in the last century. Its professional impact has been profound: it continues to define the framework within which other political philosophers must now work. In addition to this, it has made some headway into the world of practical politics, a remarkable achievement for a work of philosophy published merely thirty years ago, and all the more remarkable given the size, depth and complexity of the book. British politicians such as Anthony Crosland, David Owen and Roy Hattersley have all found something in Rawls' philosophy to invoke2. Yet, for all his work's achievements within both professional and political sphere, Rawls has not had the impact of a Hayek or a Friedman, for we seem to be further from Rawls' vision now than we were when his book was first published. This is particularly true with respect to Rawls' views on meritocracy. A meritocratic society is explicitly rejected by Rawls as a solution to the rational choice problem posed in the original position (§17), yet "Gordon Brown's response to [Rawlsian ideas] is a reformulation of the idea of equal opportunity"3, or a system of Liberal Equality (§12), in Rawls' terms, in which meritocracy is an important element. Thus, given the political saliency of meritocracy, I shall present in this
The Department of Social Security released a report on poverty and Social Exclusion in 1992. The main features of poverty and Social Exclusion that were highlighted in the Report were:
Social Exclusion. There are a number of different definitions for Social Exclusion. Many believe that social Exclusion is a term that is used to describe marginalisation. Marginalisation from everything, employment, income, social networks, decision making and in general, an adequate quality of life. The social networks that are mentioned include family, neighbourhood and the community. Another, equally popular definition of the term Social Exclusion is the way that people are excluded from the accepted norms in society. The ways in which these people are excluded can be either politically, socially, economically, culturally, or a combination of these ways. It was in the summer of 1997 when New Labour came into power that the topic of Social Exclusion became a focal point of attention. By the end of the year we saw the emergence of the Social Exclusion Unit (SEU) whose main aim was to develop policies that would combat Social Exclusion. This was described as, joined-up policies for joined-up problems. "New Labour appears determined to do little to modify the existing inequality in Britain. However, it is this that has always formed the main barrier to the success of schemes designed to reduce poverty", (Jamie Percy-Smith, 2000). The Department of Social Security released a report on poverty and Social Exclusion in 1992. The main features of poverty and Social Exclusion
Although many people argue against abortion, I strongly believe that abortion should be legalized in order to prevent women from unwanted childbearing and avoid back-alley abortions. My opinion will be justified further by means of a series of tools, name
The Ethics of Abortion: Pro- Choice Abortion has become one of the most controversial issues because it involves moral and ethical issues. It has been estimated that about 36 million abortions take place worldwide and 22 million of those are unsafe (WHO, 2011). As a result, 68,000 women die from complications deriving out of unsafe abortion (WHO, 2011). Previous research has shown that the highest rates of teenage pregnancy occur in the United States comparing with other developed countries (Ambuel, 1995; Singh & Darroch, 2000, as cited in Bee & Boyd, 2009). The World Health Organization (2011) has described unsafe abortion as "A procedure for terminating an unintended pregnancy carried out either by persons lacking the necessary skills or in an environment that does not conform to minimal medical standards, or both" (p. 2). The ensuring dilemma is this: is abortion right or wrong? Although many people argue against abortion, I strongly believe that abortion should be legalized in order to prevent women from unwanted childbearing and avoid back-alley abortions. My opinion will be justified further by means of a series of tools, namely "assumptions", "tests" and "theories of ethical behavior". First, a woman should not be forced to continue an unwanted pregnancy. In some cases, it may be ethical for a pregnant woman to have an abortion is she has been raped, is a victim of
Marx's Labour Theory of Value and the Modern World
Marx’s Labour Theory of Value and the Modern World Jessica Whitton 06340467 Professor Frank Pearce TA: Dean Curran SOCY 226 December 14 2011 The principle features of Marx’s Labour Theory of Value are applicable to the analysis of societal and economic structure, even in modern society. From his theories, Marx’s perspective on the modes of production is evident in his condemnation of class structure, alienation of the proletariat, and the centralization of wealth. Marx asserts that history is riddled with struggles between the oppressor and the oppressed, and that modernization and industrialization has split society into the Bourgeoisie and Proletariat classes. Marx argues that industrialization has reduced man to a piece-meal commodity. New commerce has lowered much of the former middle class, while producing a class of industrial millionaires, furthering the inequality in wealth distribution. He believes that the modern state is set up by the Bourgeois to serve their own needs, with little regard for the common good. Marx points out the irony of the working class’ subordination, as they are greater in number and without them the Bourgeois class would have no one to perform their labor. In both works, he suggests that the communist party, made up of the working class must become dominant, with the goal of creating an equal society where all men hold the same