Should Poverty Be Defined in Absolute Terms?
Should poverty be defined in absolute terms?
Absolute poverty is a condition characterised by the severe deprivation of human needs. There is little agreement on how poverty should be measured and defined. The concept of absolute poverty was developed by Rowntree in the 19th century.
'An absolute standard means one defined by reference to the actual needs of the poor and not by reference to the expenditure of those who are not poor. A family is poor if it cannot afford to eat.' (Keith Joseph, 1979) There are different arguments on how absolute poverty should be defined. A strength of absolute poverty is that it allows us to focus on what is really important in human life, Absolute poverty is easier to measure, and therefore easier to research.
However others believe that it assumes that there are basic needs that are common to every society. So how do researchers arrive at the idea of human rights? The subsistence definition of poverty is simply inadequate and benefit rates calculated on this definition are inadequate. In 1975 the UN said that food, safe drinking water, sanitation facilities, health, shelter, education and information are the basic human needs. It does not only depend on income but also an access to services.’
Seehbohm Rowntrees ‘Budget Standards survey’ attempted to measure absolute poverty in the UK. Budget standard surveys took place in 1899,1935 and 1981.Throughout these years non essentials were added to the list, for example tobacco, holidays, presents.
The absolute conception of poverty creates difficulty in identifying basic subsistence needs. It often creates value judgement, and also can often ignore the reality of people living in
Absolute poverty is a condition characterised by the severe deprivation of human needs. There is little agreement on how poverty should be measured and defined. The concept of absolute poverty was developed by Rowntree in the 19th century.
'An absolute standard means one defined by reference to the actual needs of the poor and not by reference to the expenditure of those who are not poor. A family is poor if it cannot afford to eat.' (Keith Joseph, 1979) There are different arguments on how absolute poverty should be defined. A strength of absolute poverty is that it allows us to focus on what is really important in human life, Absolute poverty is easier to measure, and therefore easier to research.
However others believe that it assumes that there are basic needs that are common to every society. So how do researchers arrive at the idea of human rights? The subsistence definition of poverty is simply inadequate and benefit rates calculated on this definition are inadequate. In 1975 the UN said that food, safe drinking water, sanitation facilities, health, shelter, education and information are the basic human needs. It does not only depend on income but also an access to services.’
Seehbohm Rowntrees ‘Budget Standards survey’ attempted to measure absolute poverty in the UK. Budget standard surveys took place in 1899,1935 and 1981.Throughout these years non essentials were added to the list, for example tobacco, holidays, presents.
The absolute conception of poverty creates difficulty in identifying basic subsistence needs. It often creates value judgement, and also can often ignore the reality of people living in