Understanding Poverty in Victorian London

This assignment delves into the complex issue of poverty in Victorian London, focusing on the interconnectedness of social classes. Students are tasked with analyzing primary and secondary sources to understand the lived experiences of the poor during this era. The analysis should encompass various aspects of poverty, including its causes, consequences, and the societal perceptions surrounding it. The assignment encourages critical thinking about the social structures that perpetuate inequality and the impact of poverty on individuals and communities.

Social context

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION................................................................................................................................3
Discuss in relation to the common sense perspective of poverty in Camden..................................3
Sociological perspective to explain why poverty exists in Camden ...............................................4
Social policy for poverty..................................................................................................................5
Implications of poverty on professional practice.............................................................................6
2.1 Reflect on your learning on single parenthood ........................................................................8
2.2 Discriminatory and anti-discriminatory practice in single parenthood.....................................8
2.3 In what way has the module influenced my values...................................................................9
3.1 A description of area of interest and identification of why it is an issue...................................9
3.2 Potential social impact of homelessness....................................................................................9
3.3 How does this area relate to my profession.............................................................................10
CONCLUSION..................................................................................................................................10
REFERENCES...................................................................................................................................11

INTRODUCTION
Social environment or social context is defined as the physical or sociocultural settings in
which people of different community resides (Kaplinsky, 2013). It consist of various cultures and
education system in which a person lives in. It is also defined as the social interaction which help an
individual to grow physically, mentally and socially. In the advanced generation the communication
between people can be through any mode such as verbal, face to face or through one way
anonymous communication. Social culture or context helps in enriching lives of people at
individual level so that they are able to build trust within themselves (Mani and et.al, 2013). After
living in a same community many people tend to change their way of living based on others thought
so that they are able to adopt the same pattern of living.
The overall essay and report will be based on social context related to different issues
prevailing in society. The main part of the report will focus on different types of social issues such
as homelessness, poverty, unemployment, single parenthood, health inequalities, child labour and
sexual orientation. It will also explore the sociological perspective of these issue in a particular
borough and its impacts on population living there.
Discuss in relation to the common sense perspective of poverty in Camden
The measurement of household level after tax is termed as income but if the household
income of a particular house less than 60% of the national median then that house is referred as
poverty driven house (John, MacDonald and Sanders, 2015). Camden, a London borough has been
ranked as the highest rate of poverty with more than 62% of families and children surviving under
low income or poverty driven families. The main reason behind increasing rates of poverty in
Camden is neighbourhood support deprivation, high rates of juvenile crimes and poor quality of
housing facilities available in the borough. In recent times poverty has been recognised as one of
the most pressing social issue which is affecting the lifestyle of all the people living in Camden. The
major impact of poverty is noticed on children present in the family (Jones, 2014). The earning
members in a family cannot expect children to earn livings in order to live their life according to
their standards. One of the major issue which has recently increased the rise in poverty is
discrimination. The goals set by millennium development aims largely at implementation of human
rights and non-discrimination acts so that all the individuals are treated equally in Camden. But
these set goals were overlooked by the local authorities of London which further increased the rate
of poverty in almost all the inner boroughs of London (Aldridge and et.al, 2013).
According to various research and studies conducted by social scientist it is clear that
discrimination and inequalities are the main cause of poverty that is prevailing in Camden
(Bogomolov and et.al, 2014). Even in the boroughs were the goals by millennium development are

recognised and implemented, the presence of discrimination eliminate the significance of these
goals. According to the perspective at common level it is noticed that it is very important to develop
legal framework and laws which can alleviate the presence of poverty from different London
boroughs. The sociological and common perspective on the issue of poverty has a great impact on
cause and structure of poverty in Camden. The common sense perspective on poverty tends to
broadly focus on the structural and organisational orientation of the society which is responsible for
growing poverty in recent times (Rimmerman, 2013). The term poverty and inequality are often
linked together there is a bidirectional link between both the issues. The increase in inequalities
gives rise to poverty in Camden. According to survey conducted in Camden in the year 2013-2024
it has been reported that the ratio of poverty recorded in past three years gradually increased by
27% as compared to poverty in the year 2010. The rate significantly depicts that most poverty
driven areas of London are the inner London boroughs which has the higher percentage of poverty
as compared to rest of the London and England. More than 22% of working families are counted in
poverty driven families in Camden (Hall, Sheehan and Silvestre, 2012). Major impact and
consequences are produced on children present in poverty affected families because they are
ultimately deprived of all the materials which are necessary for living.
Sociological perspective to explain why poverty exists in Camden
The sociological perspective on any social issue helps in understanding the problem in a
more better way. According to the survey it has been estimated that nearly 27% of the total
population living in Camden borough lives below the line of poverty (Antonucci, Ajrouch and
Birditt, 2014). To understand the social problem of poverty many sociologists have adopted several
theories which can provide a detailed overview of culture of poverty that is common in Camden.
Two main theories evolved by sociologists reveal different perspectives of poverty which can help
in understanding the concept in more simplified manner. The first theory states that middle class
individual who are employed in private sectors shifts from sub urban areas to cities in search of jobs
and adequate employment opportunities but due to the presence of inequalities and discrimination
they are not able to compete with other individuals (Sociological perspectives of poverty, 2016).
The another theory stated that people who are poor or poverty driven would not receive better
employment opportunities but they may acquire welfare payment by working in low income jobs
such as maids, waiters and other jobs. This has probably increased the risk of racial attacks in recent
times (Kurtz, 2015).
Based n the perspectives of sociology it is revealed that explanation to solution which can
eradicate poverty from Camden is not simple and justified. Although implementation of various
theories related to poverty has significantly brought considerable changes but still there are more

social issues which need to be addressed. The effects of poverty are very serious and long-lasting.
People or children who develop in low income families are reported to suffer from more health
problems as compared to other financially stable families (Buffel, Phillipson and Scharf, 2013).
Major effects can also be seen on mental health of a child because he/she tries to develop
themselves according to the poor conditions. Infants who are born in poor families tends to die at a
very earl;y age due to improper and insufficient mental and physical growth. Many are born with
considerably low weight which is due to malnutrition or undernourishment. The overall effect of
poverty is noticed on developing children because they are deprived luxurious as well as basic
commodities which are very necessary in daily life (Fisher and et.al, 2013). Often they are not
capable of taking primary and secondary education because of low income of the family. Even if
they are admitted in schools they are not able to attend it regularly because of physical health. The
also suffer from various mineral deficiencies, anaemia, impaired vision and hearing impairment at
early or later stages of life (Patel, 2012).
Sociologists also reveal that according to a health survey conducted in Camden in recent
times it was depicted that many family members who are existing below the poverty line are
reported to suffer from mental stress and depression which is directly linked to economic instability
in life (Fitzpatrick and Pawson, 2014). Different sociological theories also suggest that low income,
loss in employment opportunities and poverty also results in physical and mental abuse prevailing
between the family members. Poor families are more likely to affect more severely in different
aspects also as compared to middle class families. Besides the financially low background they also
suffer from victimization of physical, mental and sexual abuse, loss of job, long term illness and
sudden demise of family members due to different reasons.
Social policy for poverty
The introduction of different types of social policies for poverty will help in dismantling the
main causes behind the increasing poverty rates in Camden in recent times. The major cause of
highest percentage of low income families in Camden is discrimination and inequalities that exist to
a high order (Thomson and Snell, 2013). Various laws, legal polices and framework has been
established in order to eradicate the presence of poverty from London borough. It is very important
to maintain certain social policies and legislations because the increasing rates of poverty is directly
linked to many factors in sociological context. Poverty is associated with other social phenomena
such as increase in crime rates, unemployment, exclusion from social groups in a community and
improper and unmaintained physical and mental health of all the individuals staying in Camden
(Fabinyi, 2012). It is the major responsibility of government to develop effective strategies and
policies which can significantly reduce the impact of poverty on individual's life. Government of
London have formulated broad social policies, legislations and framework which can tackle poverty

if they are implemented correctly (Walker and Day, 2012). The increase in economic growth will
automatically reduce the poverty percentage because enhancing the value of different commodities
will help in distributional changes in the economic growth system of the country. The reduction in
market failures is also one of the key factors that can reduce the rate of poverty. If the price of good
or commodities is decided by mutual consent between buyer and seller then it will have a positive
impact in lowering down the rate of poverty driven families in Camden (Kaplinsky, 2013).
Anti-poverty strategies are also implemented by the international jurisdiction which can
assist in determining the root cause which is leading to increase the rate of poverty in recent times
(Mani and et.al, 2013). Under the international jurisdiction, the government has set different types
of millennium development goals which will basically focus on eradication of poverty so that
lifestyles of all the individuals is enhanced. There are many effective strategies that can help in
improving the living condition of people present in Camden (Aldridge and et.al, 2013). The primary
motives of millennium development goals is to end hunger, provide elementary and secondary
education, gender equality, child and maternal health and well being to fight with different
infectious and non-infectious diseases and stability in environmental conditions. The government
has universally announced that it elementary and secondary eduction should be compulsory to all
the children because increase in education sectors automatically increases the employment in the
country (Bogomolov and et.al, 2014).
Gender inequalities present in different boroughs of London is also on of the most important
reasons which has increase the rates of poverty and low income families in recent times. In order to
eliminate poverty it is very essential to eradicate gender disparity so that all are treated equally
(Rimmerman, 2013). Gender discrimination is generally present in primary and secondary
education system. With the proper implementation of different strategies the child and maternal
health has been significantly improved. Due to this reason the infant mortality rate in recent times
has been reduced to two third as compared to other ratio in past. With the integration of different
environmental policies and sustainable programmes the stability of environment has also been
enhanced which has increased the sustainability in more effective manner (Hall, Sheehan and
Silvestre, 2012). On of the main strategy which has contributed in eliminating poverty is making the
labour market inclusive so that financial debts and exclusion is not increased.
Implications of poverty on professional practice
According to the research and various studies it has been explained that there are basically
three types of poverty that exist in world. Extreme, moderate and relative poverty condition which
have various affects on mental and physical health of a person (Implications of poverty on
professional practices, 2016). Extreme poverty is a condition in which a person is severely deprived

of all the basic need such as food, clothes and other facilities. Based on report generated by world
bank it was reported that 32% of overall population in Camden were suffering from extreme
poverty conditions in the year 2010. There are long term affects and results of extreme poverty on
various individuals. There are various inferences and suggestions which can be drawn which can
ultimately help in eradicating the issues of poverty from Camden. The complexity of poverty is
generally noticed in group which are more vulnerable to different social issues (Fitzpatrick and
Pawson, 2014). They can be youth, children, women, single parent, migrants, homeless individuals
and disabled individuals. Various suggestions and recommendations have been applied so that the
problem of poverty is completely eradicated from Camden. The major change in reducing the rates
of poverty can be brought by the involvement of individuals, social groups, families, and
population. The execution and implementation of various types of projects and plans can assist in
regaining self confidence which have been destroyed because of prevalence of poverty (Antonucci,
Ajrouch and Birditt, 2014). In recent times the role and concern of all the social care workers have
significantly increased which has proved to be successful in eradicating the issue of low income and
poverty among Camden individuals. Different ethical and legal considerations have also been taken
into account so that they emphasize on improving the living condition of community people in
London boroughs (Patel, 2012).
With in-depth research and studies the authorities have identified the most marginalised so
that they are able to develop strategies to eliminate the discrimination and inequality. They should
also focus on the presence of anti-discriminatory laws and policies in the country (Wallace and
Roberson, 2015). If they are present they should check whether they are implemented in correct
manner or not. The main role of social worker is to dismantle all the discriminatory practices that
are prevailing in Camden. The millennium development group has set up different goals whose
main motive is to enhance the core education system so that employment opportunities are
increased. But even after implementing strict anti-discriminatory laws many child face
discrimination and inequality which leads to exclusion from school in early or teenage years of life
(Aldridge and et.al, 2013). This discriminatory barrier for education is one of the most negative
factor that has raised the percentage of poverty in recent times. Due to increased poverty severe
complications have also been noticed on mental and physical health of an individual. Government
and international jurisdiction should develop plans and strategies which can improve the mental and
physical health of all the people who are deprived of medical assistance. Major impact of poverty is
noticed on infants and children because due to low income they are not able to acquire all then basic
commodities and luxuries which are needed by every individual (Thomson and Snell, 2013).
Increase in poverty has also resulted in increase in mortality rate in recent years.

2.1 Reflect on your learning on single parenthood
Single parenthood is defined as the individuals who have have been separated from their
partners due to mutual incompatibility or different issues. After reviewing different studies I have
noticed that a person who is handling children single handedly have to understand all the major and
minor responsibilities without any support. There are many reasons for single parenthood such as
sudden death of the partner, divorce or separation or unplanned pregnancies. The sociological
context adopted by western countries is that if a couple wish to separate due to various reasons then
initially then custody of child is handed over to primary caregiver whereas the secondary caregiver
is directed to pay all the expenses of the child. Here primary caregiver is the mother of the child
whereas secondary care giver is the father. I families which are governed by single parents tends to
be more poor than the families which is run by both the parents. The financial benefit to a person
with two earning members in a family is more than the family which is supported by only one
member. Also a major impact of single parenthood is noticed is noticed on upbringing of a child.
The families in which mother is responsible for upbringing child is likely to furnish poor
development due to low household income. This will automatically have an negative impact on
education life of a child. As I have also lived under a single parenthood I have noticed major
consequences of single parent on mental and emotional level.
2.2 Discriminatory and anti-discriminatory practice in single parenthood.
Discrimination is generally faced by children and single parent specially mothers in all
sectors due to various reasons (Hall, Sheehan and Silvestre, 2012). As single mother is not able to
provide necessary development growth and luxuries to their children they generally experience
poverty and low income. This can have a stressful emotional impact on both parent and child. When
a child id being discriminated due to separation of their parents or loss of on of the parents the anger
and frustration gradually increases in them (John, MacDonald and Sanders, 2015). This however
lower down the self-esteem of a person. Besides living with the loss of one parent or financial
instability there are many other factors that can be the results of discrimination individual part. It
can be feeling of loneliness, sadness, difficulty in interacting with people, social exclusion,
abandonment and consequences of unshared feelings (Mani and et.al, 2013).
It is very necessary to implement anti-discriminatory frameworks so that children and single
parents are always protected from different types of discrimination at various places (Kaplinsky,
2013). Many individual workers often develop fear of working with single parents because of
different reasons. According to the children act 1989 it basically stress the immediate needs of
working in partnership with parents so that they are not discriminated on individual grounds
(Jones, 2014). The care standards act enacted in the year 2000 also focuses providing full support
and care to all the parents so that they can establish effective relationship with their children at later

stages of life. All those anti-discriminatory laws also helps in developing positive impacts on the
relationship of child and parents so that they are able to exhibit their skills, roles and responsibilities
in an effective manner (Rimmerman, 2013).
2.3 In what way has the module influenced my values
The module has affected me in both negative and positive ways. As I have been safeguarded
under the custody of my mother I have learnt to face the hardships which are face din raising
children by a single parent. The module has influenced me to maintain my financial expenses as my
mother works for long hours to fulfil the daily expenses of our home. Through module I have learnt
to build stronger bond so that the role of any of the parent is not diminished. Sharing
responsibilities has also been the most important part of single parenthood which can help in raising
and recognising the needs of all parents and child in effective manner.
3.1 A description of area of interest and identification of why it is an issue
Homelessness in Tower Hamlet has been consistently increasing in recent years sue to
various reasons. Although it is the highest paid borough in London but is reported to have be the
second highest unemployment rate after Barking and Dagenham (Aldridge and et.al, 2013). Is the
area with dense population and the number of people living in the borough increases exponentially
with time. According to survey the social issue of homelessness is increasing in Tower Hamlet
because more than 3500 families approached council for homelessness services as they had the
danger of becoming homeless in upcoming years. Out of them majority of individuals were
pregnant women residing in family and more than 38% were living single in the borough (Lewis,
2012). The main causes of homelessness was reported to be high rents and mortgage to be paid by
family members, physical and mental abuse unemployed people were some of the main reason
which caused homelessness. The overall impact of homelessness increased the risk of child poverty,
discrimination,unemployment and pensioner poverty.
3.2 Potential social impact of homelessness
The major impact of homelessness is noticed on people living in Tower Hamlet. Due to the
increase in homelessness there is a gradual increases in child poverty and health inequalities
(Hubbard and Wilkinson, 2015). The children who are deprived of proper shelter are also deprived
of different luxuries and benefits which another individual from another family background receives
it. These children are not allowed to pursue further education due to poverty and homelessness.
There has been a bidirectional link between health and homelessness. The individuals who are not
living in proper housing are likely to reduce their life expectancy by almost 20 years. Moreover the
mortality rate of homeless people increases from 20-50% in Tower Hamlet. It also increases the
prevalence of infectious diseases due to the presence of stressful conditions (Moore and et.al, 2015).

According to a recent survey it has been reported that people who are homeless from long period
time are easily exposed to substance in order to get relieve from mental stress and trauma.
3.3 How does this area relate to my profession
Area of Tower Hamlet is broadly related to my profession. As this area ha been reported to
contain more than 9% of unemployment rate in the London borough (Aldridge and et.al, 2013).
Even if the council for homelessness services have prevented many families from becoming
homeless nut there are still many people in this are who are homeless. Severe consequences of
homelessness has been noticed on children in the families and pregnant women. Financial hardships
are faced by many families so that they are able to prevent themselves from being homeless.
Unemployment, health inequalities and child poverty are at its peak due to the increased rate of
homelessness in Tower Hamlet (Hubbard and Wilkinson, 2015). The major impact of homelessness
in this area has been seen in health sector. Many health issues such as acute and chromic physical
disorders, premature deaths increase in mortality rate.
CONCLUSION
The overall report was divided into three major sections which discussed three various
sociological aspects. The first task addressed the prevalence of poverty in Camden are of London.
The second task mainly discussed single parenthood and lastly the report concluded with a detailed
study of homelessness in Tower Hamlet.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
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Online
Sociological perspectives of poverty. 2016. [Online] Available through:
<https://www.hrw.org/news/2013/01/11/discrimination-inequality-and-poverty-human-
rights-perspective>. [Accessed on 1st May 2016].
Implications of poverty on professional practices. 2016. [Online] Available through:
<http://www.londonspovertyprofile.org.uk/indicators/topics/income-poverty/>. [Accessed on
1st May 2016].