Structural

• Social is unequal - two ways:

  1. Welfare state is failing
  2. Social structure is unfair
• Welfare state is failing - better benefits that are easier to claim are needed but those who don't need them shouldn't receive them
• Social structure is unfair - there is a class structure where some people will always be at the bottom

  Functionalists think that it is acceptable as relative poverty rewards those who have talent and work hard

  Marxists think it comes from the upper class keeping themselves rich and powerful
• Social inequality
• Social structure
• It makes it seem like poverty will always happen
• Nothing can be done to stop poverty from being inevitable