Alm, S., Nelson, K., & Nieuwenhuis, R. (2020). The diminishing power of one? Welfare state retrenchment and rising poverty of single-adult households in Sweden 1988–2011. European Sociological Review, 36(2), 198-217.
This study examines how welfare state retrenchment affected the economic status of single-person households in Sweden between 1988 and 2019. Alm, Nelson and Nieuwenhuis examine the connection between social policy change and increases in poverty rates for singles. In their analysis of welfare policies, they demonstrate that single-adult families are very vulnerable to retrenchment measures. Statistical data and socioeconomic indicators are used in this study to clarify the negative impacts of policy changes on this particular element. Since Sweden is usually praised for its welfare state, this study comments on the complex nature of poverty within a presumed stable social security framework.
De Bruijn, E. J., & Antonides, G. (2022). Poverty and economic decision making: a review of scarcity theory. Theory and Decision, 92(1), 5-37.
In the article by De Bruijn and Antonides (2022), a critical review of scarcity theory regarding poverty relating to economic decision-making concepts is presented. The authors in this article, published in the Journal of Theory and Decision, summarize various academic works to portray how scarcity is directly related to individuals’ choices in situations where they are living in poverty. The review pays attention to how limited resources impact the process of cognitive generation, decision biases and behavioral effects. Through its detailed discussion of the scarcity theory, this work contributes to our knowledge of how economic deprivation affects choice strategies. The principal value of this article lies in synthesizing the available empirical evidence and theoretical frameworks. This offers essential ideas for scholars and policymakers willing to deal with complex poverty-related dynamics affecting economic decision-making.
Desmond, M. (2022). Unaffordable America: Poverty, housing, and Eviction: American Journal of Sociology. In The Affordable Housing Reader (pp. 389–395). Routledge.
Matthew Desmond’s contribution to The Affordable Housing Reader, titled “Unaffordable America: The article: Poverty, housing, and Eviction published in the American Journal of Sociology, examines the nature of the relationship between poverty on one hand path to provide a better definition of for cities, housing and evictions in the US. This chapter focuses on the structural problems underpinning the unaffordability crisis, revealing the intricacies behind such a phenomenon and explaining why homeless groups face housing insecurity in their daily lives. Desmond’s research goes beyond the typical academic realms and adds unique observations to being able or not to access housing in a broader perspective of other socioeconomic issues. By presenting this piece in The Affordable Housing Reader, the author helps understand poverty-related problems from different perspectives. This, therefore, makes it an essential tool for researchers, policymakers and advocates dealing with the problem of equity in housing.
Lubbers, M. J., Small, M. L., & García, H. V. (2020). Do networks help people to manage poverty? Perspectives from the field. The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, 689(1), 7-25.
In their work The Role of Social Networks in Poverty Management; Field Perspectives, Lubbers, Small and García underlined annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science present compelling field perspectives. Their research was released in 2020 and explores the role of interpersonal relations for people to overcome poverty. The authors, therefore, shed some light on the everyday experiences of people going through conditions related to poor economic provision. This contributes to addressing poverty alleviation from a social perspective. This paper is essential for scholars and practitioners involved in studying social support systems to reveal complicated mechanisms within individuals struggling against poverty.
Lugo-Ocando, J. (2020). The ‘changing face of media discourses on poverty in the age of populism and anti-globalization: The political appeal of anti-modernity and certainty in Brazil. International Communication Gazette, 82(1), 101-116.
Based on the background of populism and anti-globalization, Lugo-Ocando’s research in 2020, published by the International Communication Gazette, focuses on media narratives about poverty as they evolve within Brazil. The paper discusses how political dynamics take advantage of the anti-modern moods and quest for certainty by structuring media rhetoric regarding poverty. In this regard, Lugo-Ocando analyses where media intersects with politics and socioeconomic concerns; he does so to offer vital information on how the public perceives poverty and political strategies during times of populism along with connected anti-globalization movements in Brazil.
Marwell, N. P., & Morrissey, S. L. (2020). Organizations and the governance of urban poverty. Annual Review of Sociology, pp. 46, 233–250.
Marwell, N. P., and MorrisseyS.L.2020 Organizations and the governance of urban poverty is published in the Annual Review of Sociology, providing an insightful examination of how organizations shape administrative bodies concerningpoverishment. The article, published in 2020, examines how organizations play a part in influencing policies as well as practices associated with urban poverty. Marwell and Morrissey’s study reveals the intricacies of institutional elements’ functioning and governance structure influence on dealing with city poverty problems. This work is central to the scholars and policymakers interested in having comprehensive knowledge of how organizations influence or are influenced by governing poverty within urban areas, thus leading to the formulation of policies that will help improve social welfare.
Peine, E. K., Azano, A. P., & Schafft, K. A. (2020). Beyond cultural and structural explanations of regional underdevelopment: identity and dispossession in Appalachia. Journal of Appalachian Studies, 26(1), 40-56.
The article ‘Roots and Routes, identity and Dispossession in Appalachia’ authored by Peine, Azano, and Schafft, provides a deep analysis of the regional underdevelopment condition within the Appalachian. In the research published in 2020, there is a lot more to it than just seeking conventional explanations because she has gone ahead and discussed other things touching on identity as well as dispossession of what happened within this area having an impact on how its socioeconomic shape. Without a limited focus on cultural or structural perspectives, the authors shed light upon subtle patterns that help to understand why underdevelopment occurs where it happens. This article is essential for researchers, policymakers, and advocates who want to understand regional inequalities in total better and offer informative source material for informed intervention and policies in Appalachia.
Royce, E. (2022). Poverty and power: The problem of structural inequality. Rowman & Littlefield.
The main strength of Alan Jenkins and Nadia Lambek’s book, The Problem of Structural Inequality, is the compelling analysis that the authors provide on how poverty acts so intricately with structural inequality. In Royce, released in 2022, delves into systemic issues that continue to fuel poverty and highlights the underlying power structures necessary to sustain hierarchies for structural inequalities. Through addressing the underlying causes of poverty, the author analyses how social aspects contribute to preserving economic inequalities. The proposed manuscript is an invaluable guide for everyone, from scholars and researchers to policymakers and activists who want to understand and cope with the multiform problems created by structural inequality. It provides beneficial instruction for both sides of the debate on discourse and policies regarding poverty.
Simpson Reeves, L., Parsell, C., & Liu, S. (2020). Towards a phenomenology of poverty: defining poverty through the lived experiences of the ‘poor’. Journal of Sociology, 56(3), 439–454.
In their 2020 article, “Towards a Phenomenology of Poverty: In ‘Defining Poverty through the Lived Experiences of the Poor’, published in The Journal of Sociology, Simpson Reeves, Parsell and Liu offer a powerful insight into poverty from its victims. The authors use the phenomenological methodology, interrelated to depicting situations faced by people in poverty. By placing the narratives of the ‘poor’ centre stage, this study moves beyond descriptive and impressionistic accounts of poverty in poor countries to provide a detailed, well-grounded perspective that captures their lived realities. This study is significant for the researchers and policymakers looking forward to redefining poverty and handling it. It stresses the need to include subjective individual experiences as a basis for more sympathetic and beneficial anti-poverty measures.
Walter, M., & Saggers, S. (2020). Poverty and social class. In Social determinants of indigenous health (pp. 87-107).
Walter and Saggers (2020) provide a compelling overview of poverty in terms of social class through their contribution titled “Poverty and Social Class” in the book Social Determinants of Indigenous Health. According to these sources, this is to be one of the chapters in which the authors discuss determinants of Indigenous health and go deeper into intricate connections between poverty and social class within these communities. By integrating poverty into broader social constructs, this study contributes a significant perspective to the peculiarities faced by Native populations. The chapter is of great importance as one that could be used by readers interested in understanding various aspects contributing to the health outcomes among Indigenous peoples. This underscores the importance of combating poverty from a larger socioeconomic perspective.
Zagel, H., Hübgen, S., & Nieuwenhuis, R. (2022). Diverging trends in single-mother poverty across Germany, Sweden, and the United Kingdom: Toward a comprehensive explanatory framework. Social Forces, 101(2), 606-638.
The article by Zagel, Hübgen, and Nieuwenhuis 2022 in Social Forces highlights the differing paths single mother poverty has taken in Germany, Sweden and the UK. In 2022, the authors will build a ‘unified’ causal framework, elaborating on lone mothers’ very different socioeconomic paths in those countries. More specifically, while looking to determine the specific factors that contribute towards single mother poverty in a more nuanced way than it has been done before, this study adds credibility not only to generally accepted mechanisms of influence but also points out which other elements are incorporated into those standards when policy development and societal structures intersect with economic circumstances. This is an essential work for scholars and policymakers interested in understanding single mothers’ unique problems across diverse national settings. It provides an insight far beyond the usual discussions on poverty trends.
This research journey has been a very illuminating experience where I have widened my understanding of the diverse nature of poverty and different social classes. On the other hand, the review of a range of scholarly works has provided me with detailed knowledge. They have shed more light on those subtle dynamics that define poverty and help to maintain it or challenge it. This discussion summarizes the main concepts that emerged during the study process.
A consistent theme throughout the literature is the broad influence structural inequality wields over poverty. Royce contributed to ‘Poverty and Power’ by drawing attention to the systemic problems inherent in maintaining economic inequality. The Simpson Reeves, Parsell, and Liu article on the phenomenological approach was unique in that it defined poverty through the lived experiences of this category labelled ‘poor.’ In essence su, the approaches to mapping our knowledge underscore how important we must go beneath statistical measures to understand individuals. Peine, Azano and Schafft further explored the complexities related to regional underdevelopment in Appalachia brought about by identity and dispossession that perpetuate poverty across unique geographical locations. Marwell and Morrissey’s study on how organizations govern urban poverty demonstrated that organizational policies and practices were conditioned with complex dynamics. These studies draw attention to the required context-sensitive interventions for dealing with the unique challenges of regional disparities.
The research took me into Brazil’s ‘changing’ media discourses and critical investigations into the country’s poverty impressions, which get shaped through public withers. The research also shows that political factors determine the poverty narrative, and the insufficiency of modernism was an anti-modern appeal to certainty. Analyzing media discourses, Lugo-Ocando reveals some patterns in anti-modernity sentiments and the necessity of straightforward answers that shape society’s lackadaisical attitude towards poverty in Brazil. This perspective is invaluable for recognizing the role of media in building and reinforcing certain narrations that can influence policy decisions and also reflect public opinion.
Similarly, Walter and Saggers add to the discussion by studying poverty and social class concerning Social Determinants of Indigenous Health. The concept of social dharma emphasizes the relationship between SDSs and health outcomes, showing that poverty is not simply an economic issue but a critical determinant of one’s overall welfare. The article emphasizes that social determinants such as poverty and the level of their societal position play an essential role in developing health differences among indigenous peoples. This broad viewpoint reflects that poverty is not the only challenge but occurs in connection to multiple socioeconomic dimensions, synergistically affecting health outcomes.
In combination, these observations help to highlight the fact that media plays a central role in shaping societal understandings of poverty, as does provide socioeconomic context. The way media depicts poor people can either reinforce stereotypes and stigmas or create a more sophisticated image that acknowledges the multifacetedness of challenges faced by individuals who find themselves living in poverty. The above acknowledgement that health outcomes are interconnected with socioeconomic factors places more emphasis on the necessity for holistic strategies targeting poverty as a multi-faceted issue. These dynamics should be factored into the agenda of policymakers and communicators. There is a need for informed public discourse to address the underlying causes of poverty besides stimulating holistic well-being.
The research enhanced the level of my understanding of poverty. Their study concerns the conflicting developments of single-mother impoverishment in Germany, Sweden, and the UK, rendering a precise insight and adding something plausible to an inclusive descriptive model. It looks at single mothers’ different socioeconomic paths in these separate nations. This research also focuses on the importance of cultural, economic and policy-related considerations in any understanding of poverty dynamics.
However, this international view emphasizes the fact that poverty is not a similar experience but, instead, profoundly lies in socio-cultural settings attributed to every nation. It recognizes the contextuality of poverty determinants regarding cultural standards, economic systems and policy arrangements. The study points out that strategies towards poverty reduction cannot be considered universalities but depend on particular conditions and challenges attributed to individuals in cultural and national frames.
In addition, the research calls for a review of our approach to studies on poverty and policy development. Perceiving the varying nature of single motherhood in diverse countries prompts one to drop unfounded generalizations about poverty. Distinctively, policymakers and researchers should address the unique socioeconomic contexts that cause poverty to be quite complex in every country. The latter can be prevented by inclusiveness in research and a culturally sensitive approach to those issues, thus helping to understand single mothers’ challenges better internationally.
Engaging in this research journey has revealed an intricate web of poverty, weaving structural iniquities with regional displeasures, the media’s role, and a global lens. These multiple viewpoints have synthesized and helped generate a deep understanding of the complex dynamics concerning poverty and social strata. The results of this study cannot be more precise on the necessity for an all-inclusive approach, which takes contexts into account to redress multilayered dimensions linked to poverty. Working towards a fairer society requires recognition and effective response to the complex relationships among socioeconomic determinants of poverty, which not only facilitate but also sustain it—used as a cornerstone for well-reasoned discussions, vigorous policy development and specific targeted intervention programs to overcome the devastating impact of poverty on individuals worldwide effectively. As the identified factors are interrelated, this research line provides all the essential instruments. They are necessary to ensure significant improvements and create a brighter, more equal future for everyone.
Alm, S., Nelson, K., & Nieuwenhuis, R. (2020). The diminishing power of one? Welfare state retrenchment and rising poverty of single-adult households in Sweden 1988–2011. European Sociological Review, 36(2), 198-217. https://doi.org/10.1093/esr/jcz053
De Bruijn, E. J., & Antonides, G. (2022). Poverty and economic decision making: a review of scarcity theory. Theory and Decision, 92(1), 5-37. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11238-021-09802-7
Desmond, M. (2022). Unaffordable America: Poverty, housing, and Eviction: American Journal of Sociology. In The Affordable Housing Reader (pp. 389–395). Routledge. https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9780429299377-34/unaffordable-america-poverty-housing-eviction-matthew-desmond
Lubbers, M. J., Small, M. L., & García, H. V. (2020). Do networks help people to manage poverty? Perspectives from the field. The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, 689(1), 7-25.https://doi.org/10.1177/000271622092395
Lugo-Ocando, J. (2020). The ‘changing face of media discourses on poverty in the age of populism and anti-globalization: The political appeal of anti-modernity and certainty in Brazil. International Communication Gazette, 82(1), 101-116. https://doi.org/10.1177/1748048519880749
Marwell, N. P., & Morrissey, S. L. (2020). Organizations and the governance of urban poverty. Annual Review of Sociology, pp. 46, 233–250. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-soc-121919-054708
Peine, E. K., Azano, A. P., & Schafft, K. A. (2020). Beyond cultural and structural explanations of regional underdevelopment: identity and dispossession in Appalachia. Journal of Appalachian Studies, 26(1), 40-56. https://doi.org/10.5406/jappastud.26.1.0040
Royce, E. (2022). Poverty and power: The problem of structural inequality. Rowman & Littlefield. https://cir.nii.ac.jp/crid/1130000794091567232\
Simpson Reeves, L., Parsell, C., & Liu, S. (2020). Towards a phenomenology of poverty: defining poverty through the lived experiences of the ‘poor’. Journal of Sociology, 56(3), 439–454. https://doi.org/10.1177/1440783319851204
Walter, M., & Saggers, S. (2020). Poverty and social class. In Social determinants of indigenous health (pp. 87-107). Routledge.https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003117247-5/poverty-social-class-maggie-walter-sherry-saggers
Zagel, H., Hübgen, S., & Nieuwenhuis, R. (2022). Diverging trends in single-mother poverty across Germany, Sweden, and the United Kingdom: Toward a comprehensive explanatory framework. Social Forces, 101(2), 606-638. https://doi.org/10.1093/sf/soab142