Term Paper on "Poverty and Welfare"

Term Paper 8 pages (3817 words) Sources: 1+

[EXCERPT] . . . .

Sociology of Poverty and Welfare

Defining elements in culture are those of language, beliefs, values, norms, behaviors, and material objects which are passed through generation to generation. Further culture can be separated into subgroups of material culture and nonmaterial culture. Components within a culture are inclusive of symbols, gestures, language, values, norms and sanctions, folkways and mores." Those who participate in social research or sociologists place their reliance on three main theoretical frameworks which are symbolic intereactionism which is defined in the focus on languaging and human relationship elements in intimate group settings which gives emphasis to the construction and communication by the individual through use of symbols or micro-analysis. In the thinking of today there is little disagreement that there is not an existence of a definitive in poverty that is "the" end-all in relating the meaning of the existence demonstrating the meaning of poverty. Globalization is new in the theorem arena in relation to reflect on poverty. The studies that are recent in relation to: "globalization, regionalization and their local manifestation in 'globalization' revealed an extraordinary variety of micro-social" causal factors and reasons within the framework of social processes and consequences that are of a broader nature.

The Sociology of Poverty and Welfare

Statement of Thesis:

The purpose of this work is to research the sociology of poverty and welfare. This work will identify the conflict and individualistic and cultural perspectives in poverty and welfare, will give a description of six sociological explanations relating to the two identified perspectives of poverty and welfare and will evaluate three of the sociological explanations. Further this work will give a description of at least eight sociological studies of welfare and poverty with at least four representing the different sociological perspectives as well as four evaluations of the sociological studies. Finally this work will provide a description of four main constraints which could affect the work of the sociologist in their study of welfare and poverty.

Review of Literature:

Defining elements in culture are those of language, beliefs, values, norms, behaviors, and material objects which are passed through generation to generation. Further culture can be separated into subgroups of material culture and nonmaterial culture. Components within a culture are inclusive of symbols, gestures, language, values, norms and sanctions, folkways and mores. Further stated is that "language is considered the essence of culture because it makes allowances for shifts in the cultural fabric beyond the boundaries in the present and gives way to a social past as well as a social future. Those who participate in social research or sociologists place their reliance on three main theoretical frameworks which are symbolic intereactionism which is defined in the focus on languaging and human relationship elements in intimate group settings which gives emphasis to the construction and communication by the individual through use of symbols or micro-analysis. Secondly is that which is referred to a "functional analysis, which is the idea that the various parts that comprise what is known as society when properly working, is a contribution by each part to the across the board stability of society or macro-analysis and third is that which is called the "conflict theory" which places emphasis on the inequalities expressed in societal elements and encompasses an understanding of the struggle to gain control over resources as the definitive element and base ingredient in "social life" further understanding that this is on a continual ever repetitive basis which is also a "macro-analysis."(Vanguard University 2004) Further related is that the method of research utilized greatly is dependent upon the questions to be asked, the access to the subjects on the behalf of the researcher, resource availability, training of researcher and the basic fundamental importance and ethical consideration. (Vanguard University 2004) There are six (6) identified methods in research or research designs for information procurement, or gathering which are as follows:

1. Surveys

2. Participant Observation

3. Secondary analysis

4. Documents

5. Unobtrusive measures

6. Experiments

There has been pronounced difficulty experienced by those who have attempted to assign a definition to poverty which will be acceptable to everyone. The reference to poverty is one that is inclusive of aspects of social and economical elements that are not elements desired by any individual or group in any part of the world. There also exist many theoretical perspectives and views of poverty in the sociological field. Poverty has been defined as being what is termed "absolute poverty" based on the assessment of what is considered to be the calculation of minimum subsistence in terms of housing, clothing and food in order to lead a healthy life. (Rowntree 1899) Other researchers in sociology define poverty in "relative" terms based on the belief of a link existing between poverty and inequality. Peter Townsend (1970) made the claim that poverty could only be viewed in an objective manner through the concept of that which is termed "relative deprivation." The theory of "relative deprivation" states that poverty should be measured in terms of the resources that an individual has available and should be defined in terms other than the singular term of an individual's income but also should be inclusive of other social factors of participation. Townsend's view of poverty in relative terms was to lay the foundation or give objective explanation to poverty in contemporary Britain. However, the index itself can be viewed as a subjective opinion which renders Townsend's research to be classified as "not" objective.

In the thinking of today there is little disagreement that there is not an existence of a definitive in poverty that is "the" end-all in relating the meaning of the existence demonstrating the meaning of poverty. Globalization is new in the theorem arena in relation to reflect on poverty. The studies that are recent in relation to: "globalization, regionalization and their local manifestation in 'globalization' revealed an extraordinary variety of micro-social" causal factors and reasons within the framework of social processes and consequences that are of a broader nature. According to Rinsum and Ruijter (2002) That is the basis for the importance assigned to transnational and transcultural comparisons gained so much weight in importance in the study of sociological research as they are very adaptable in achievement research and globalization contradictions. The idea in "sustainable development" which is society that through developmental sustenance processes fully provides for the society. According to Rinsum & Ruijter (2002) the concept expressed in sustainable development was integrated into intellectual fashion and it continues to gain validity in social context and relevant value.

Many investigations by sociologists have been launched into examining the feelings of people toward that which is termed "social differentiation." Another aspect in Sociological research is the theory of "Stratification" which is the term used to describe the 'layers' that exist at the societal level. Some hold the idea that the possibility exists for society to effectively operate outside of a defined structure and it is a given in most communities that separation exists between the classes of people within the community. Revolutionary German philosopher, Karl Marx, formed the basis in conceptual revolutionary thought in what is known as the social order of "Communism." Stratification among classes does not exist in the communist societal framework. According to the belief held by Marx there existed in all societies divisions into two groups which was assigned by the ownership of the organization and the means of production owned by the organization. The groups were classified as the bourgeois and the proletariat or the middle class and the worker group respectively. (Marx, 1970) the development of social stratification was described in the Communist manifesto in 1848. Marx referred to the gathering of basic necessities as being "primitive communism" due to the fact that no one "owned" possession therefore there was not any stratification in society.

Max Weber, a later theorist, although influenced by the work of Karl Marx did not agree with Marx's theory because in his view it was altogether too "deterministic." Marx was a "structuralist" in that he believed that people were shaped by the society in which they existed. Weber on the other hand was a "social action theorist" with beliefs that action and interaction by and among individuals create society. Weber's idea was that instead of the idea of stratification that the idea of "life chances" was most applicable demonstrated by the wealthy who had more "life chances" than those in the lower classes. While Marx divided society into only two classes Weber identified four distinct classes which were the "upper class," the "middle class," the "working class" and the "poor." Social inequality which is accredited to be in existence due to industrialism and capitalism is the view held by both Marx (1970 Marx sees these facts as a scenario inclusive of a revolution in the end. Capitalism is a given in the modern world with the acceptance of social inequality a foregone conclusion. The complete eradication of inequality on the social level is a very unlikely proposition.. The definition of poverty is one that has cause researchers… READ MORE

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