The Experience of Poverty in an Unequal Society: Why Tackling Stigma

should be a priority in anti-poverty policy

Sarah Welford Policy and Parliamentary Officer

Introduction

The economy – the elephant in the room

Economic growth and its repercussions

The worst thing about living in poverty “The worst thing of it is the contempt of your

fellow citizens. I and many other families live in that contempt.”

Moraene Roberts, National Poverty Hearing, UK

“The challenge for me is the isolation, the loneliness, the painful awareness that we are not able to join in society or play any part in it.”

Family Member, ATD Fourth World UK

Shame and humiliation

“We are not inferior, we are not deficient, but we are made to feel that way”

Voices from Caia Park: Communities

Against Poverty, Wales

“I would rather be mourned when dead then mourned whilst still alive” Respondent of Disability Alliance Poll

The rationale behind stigma

Shifting the responsibility of poverty to the individual.

The priority of the economy fuels an individualistic outlook

‘All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights’. Universal Declaration of Human Rights

The American dream syndrome

The myth: The biggest injustice of all? Work shy Lacking in morals Scroungers

Vs reality: Hard working Excellent money managers Tenacious Strong Determined

Discrimination and Povertyism Sweeping generalisations Accepted name calling: ‘neds, townies, scallies, cheats,

scroungers’

“The worst thing about it is the fact that we havecreated a culture where it is acceptable to speak thisway about a whole group of people, the majority ofwhom are living very difficult lives”Participant in Poverty Alliance EvidenceParticipation Change project

The Repercussions of Povertyism Tightening up of conditionality of benefits and resulting

stress and hardship. Fear: Fear of accessing services that people are in most

need of.

“It’s a huge burden and you have to battle onquietly. You cannot ask for help because you

fear that your children will be taken into care” Participant in the Evidence Participation Change project

Repercussions of Povertyism Deserving and undeserving poor - the

power of the front line service. ‘Policy implementation is, therefore, also

affected by the perceptions and beliefs that staff themselves bring to their jobs

The experience of poverty: relative measures

At the bottom and everyone knowing that. Not being able to provide children with

same opportunities as their friends. Constantly saying no when everyone is

saying yes. Feelings, respect, self esteem. A human rights issue.

Conclusion

A pressing need to address our preoccupation with economic growth.

Tackling stigma and getting stories told: the key to combating poverty

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