Measuring Social inequality

Question 1

Cycle of deprivation

Answer 1

• Poverty —> Poor living conditions —> Ill health —> Poor education —> Poor skills
• Cycles back round, all are interlinked

Question 2

Quality of life

Answer 2

• Peoples needs and desires (social, psychological, physical) are met
• Equal treatment of people
• Responsible access to healthcare / other services
• Respected / heard opinions

Question 3

Standard of living

Answer 3

• Ability to access services and goods

- Includes the basics

Question 4

Income

Answer 4

• Higher income means more choices in housing, food, clothing and more
• May not lead to high quality of life: poor air quality, long hours, long commute can decrease quality of life
• Absolute poverty: $1.25 a day (a person cannot afford to purchase the minimum essentials)
• Relative poverty: level of poverty to distribution of income across the population (60% of house hold income in UK)

Question 5

Gini co efficient

Answer 5

• Measures levels of inequality within countries
• Ratio of values between 0 and 1
• lower value = more distribution of equal income

Question 6

Housing

Answer 6

• Related to income
• Housing tenure: legal status under which people have the right to occupy accommodation
• People own house, money borrowed (mortgage)
• People rent from landlords or council
• Charities provide accommodation
• Housing tenure complex in LIDC, squatter settlements

Question 7

Education

Answer 7

• Formal education from schools
• Informal education from working or home chores
• Other skills underestimated if formal qualifications are measured
• Literacy levels give an indication of inequality

Question 8

Health care

Answer 8

• Association between ill health and poverty is strong
• Health inequality: number of doctors per 1000
• Access to clean water / sanitation
• Vaccines

Question 9

Employment

Answer 9

• Can be employed but on a low wage

- People work in the informal sector, no set wage, still live in slums