Transcript What Causes Social Exclusion?

Lesson Starter
What will I learn?
•Explain what is meant by the
term ‘social exclusion’
•Explain reasons, both political
and social / economic, for the
continued existence of
poverty in the UK
Social Exclusion
•The government has defined social exclusion as "what can
happen when people or areas suffer from a combination of
linked problems such as unemployment, poor skills, low
incomes, poor housing, high crime, bad health and family
breakdown. People who are ‘socially excluded’ are more
likely to:
• Lack employment
• Have poor employment and social skills
• Live on a low income
• Not value education
• Have poorer housing and health
• Live alone
Causes and consequences of Social
Exclusion
There are many, but the following are considered
to be the most significant.
•Long term unemployment - This causes not just
poverty, but a lack of confidence and self esteem.
•A person’s mental health can suffer through being
out of work and missing the “banter” and feel-good
effect of doing a fulfilling job.
•Long term unemployment can lead to debt, a poor
diet and poor physical health.
What Causes Social Exclusion?
•The causes of social exclusion are complicated.
Arguably, social exclusion has been partly
caused by the policies of successive government.
•On the other hand, changes in employment patterns,
attitudes within society and the lifestyle choices of
individuals, can also result in people becoming socially
excluded.
•What is without argument is that social exclusion has
increased in the last 20 years.
•Note: Recently, there has been a great deal of debate over
the extent of social mobility in the UK. Social mobility is
the term used to describe people moving up the social scale.
Although it is possible for people to ‘rise and go’, many
people believe social mobility has declined in recent years.
Causes and consequences of Social Exclusion
•Low Pay - The National Minimum Wage rose to
£6.50 per hour in October 2014 for an adult over
21.
•Yet it must be hard to afford a foreign holiday,
take the kids to a SPFL match, or go out for a
meal.
•In some ways, it is harder to be low paid than
unemployed, as the person may not be entitled to
the same benefits the unemployed are.
•The so-called benefits trap is one of the main
reasons why unemployed people may choose not to
work.
Causes and consequences of Social Exclusion
•Lack of Education - Education is the key to
prosperity.
•The well paid jobs in society are increasingly only
open to graduates.
•University also allows people to develop the “soft
skills” of communicating and “networking” with
others who will be the “movers and shakers” of the
future.
•Some come up through contacts made at the golf
or the rugby, games popular at university,
especially with males.
•To get into university requires Highers. Sorry to
put pressure on you, but…..
Causes and consequences of Social Exclusion
•Homelessness - Work is the way out of poverty.
•Yet it is difficult to find a job when there is no
address to return applications to.
•It is difficult to be smart, confident and prepared
for an interview without space and privacy.
•It is difficult even to know there are jobs
available, when day to day survival is the priority.
Causes and consequences of Social Exclusion
•Crime - There are no doubts concerning the
connection between socially excluded groups and
crime.
•Most violent crime and robberies are committed in
socially excluded areas, usually by people from those
areas.
•There are plenty of law abiding poor people. But the
fact remains that the chances of a person committing
a criminal act from a socially excluded background are
much greater.
•Inmates of jails are overwhelmingly from socially
excluded backgrounds, just as the populations of
universities are overwhelmingly from middle class
backgrounds.
Revision Questions
• 1.What is meant by the phrase ‘social exclusion’?
• 2.Describe the characteristics of someone
‘socially excluded’.
• 3.Complete a spider diagram to show the
economic and social reasons for social exclusion.
I can…
• Explain what is meant by the term
‘social exclusion’.
• Explain reasons, both political and
social / economic, for the continued
existence of poverty in the UK.