Economics

Economics (Poverty)

Lesson Objectives:At the end of the lesson learners should able to:Observe pictures and able to Identify people who are affected by poverty.Define Poverty.Differentiate between absolute and relative poverty.Discuss in detail the term chronic poverty.Identify Characteristics of poverty.Identify and Discuss the effect of poverty.

Observing pictures

Observing pictures

Observing pictures

POVERTY Definition: Is the condition experienced by people who lack sufficient income and wealth. It is also a lack of basic items, such as food, clothing, water and shelter, that are needed for a minimum standard of living.There is a close relationship between poverty and inequality, poverty occurs more often in areas with low average income and highly unequal distribution of that income.When people are unable to eat, go to school, have poor housing, access health care they are considered poor.For an example: in the picture above we see people in t que to get food from the non profit organization that provide lunch for free, getting dirty water and staying in a squatter camp or shacks.

Differentiation between Absolute and Relative PovertyAbsolute povertyIt is when people who are poor that they cannot to meet their basic needs for food, shelter and clothing.This means their living standards is minimum.

Relative povertyIt is when people have enough to meet or buy their basic needs, but not much more.Their living standards are relative compared to other inhabitants of the country or other countries.

Chronic PovertyIs the situation where by groups of people or communities live I poverty over a long time, sometimes for a duration of their entire lives.It moves from generations to generations in families, in a way that is it nearly impossible to change the condition.

Characteristics of povertyRural areas: up to 75% of South Africa's poor live in remote areas, which makes it expensive ad time consuming for them to reach important facilities such as clinics. This leads to poor health, lack of education and unemployment.Gender and Age: this poverty rate of female headed households is on average 50% higher than that of male headed households.The unemployment rate among women also higher than among man.Low levels of Education: poverty affect 66,3% of those who have no schooling and 59,9% of those who have not completed primary schooling.High population growth: countries with high population growth tend to have more poor people, as there are not enough resources to meet everyone's needs.Countries with low per capita income: most poor people come from countries, which tend to have highest level of absolute poverty.

Effects of povertyLimited freedom of life choices: The poor are often not empowered and are forced to work at certain jobs or to do certain things.Health and life expectancy are affected: they have a strong sense of shame and failure, because often they cannot provide for themselves or their children. Since every form of material poorness or social exclusion affects peoples physical and mental behavior.Limited economic choices :the poor are often prevented from receiving bank loans and other financial benefits, which makes it difficult for them to establish businesses and increase their income, which they desperately need to break out of poverty.Decrease in productivity: hunger and ill health can lead to greater poverty, because it affects peoples ability to work and learn.Increase in domestic violence: the pressure of being jobless and the risk of loosing ones home cause a great deal of pressure. The psychological effect of this pressure may lead to violence in households.

South African Poverty Video

South African Poverty Audio

Activity

Learners are expected to analyse and investigate the effect of poverty in their communities, and come up with possible solutions to eliminate poverty.

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