Relative poverty

Having resources so far below the usual standard in a society that participation in ordinary everyday life is restricted.

A situation in which people lack the resources to achieve the living standards and participate in the activities widely available in their society.

Relative poverty means lacking the resources to achieve living standards and participate in activities widely available in the society concerned. The comparison is with other people’s lives, rather than only a minimum for survival. A household might have enough food and shelter but be unable to afford ordinary social activities.

Poverty defined in relation to the living standards customary or widely accepted in a particular society.

For absolute poverty, refer to basic necessities; for relative poverty, refer to the standard of living in the society concerned.

Distinguish the definitions by their benchmark: absolute poverty concerns basic survival needs; relative poverty concerns living standards and participation in a particular society.

Should the boundary identify people who cannot meet their basic survival needs, or also people who cannot take part in the ordinary life of their society? These questions distinguish absolute poverty from relative poverty.

Having resources so far below the usual standard in a society that participation in its normal way of life is restricted.

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AQA GCSE Sociology · 8192

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Eduqas GCSE Sociology · C200