THEORETICAL PERSPECTIVES OF POVERTY - UNDERCLASS

Who proposed the theory of the underclass?

Charles Murray

What are the basic assumptions of the underclass theory?

• Murray believed that the underclass is not only the poorest members of society but those whose lifestyle involves a "type of poverty"

• He argued that a poor person is defined not only by their economic condition but also by their behavior in response to that condition, such as an unwillingness to take available jobs.

What are the three deplorable behaviors identified by Murray?

• An unwillingness to take jobs

• Having illegitimate children

• Committing crime.

Does Murray believe that all poor people engage in deplorable behaviors?

No; he argues that only a minority of poor people exhibit these behaviors, but their actions influence others in society.

What evidence does Murray use to support his claim?

• Illegitimacy – The illegitimacy rate rose at the hands o lower-class women with absent fathers. He argued that these children "run wild" due to a lack of father figures.

• Crime – He associated rising crime rates with the development of the underclass. As crime increased, communities became fragmented, leading people to become defensive, suspicious, and withdrawn.

• Unemployment – He believed unemployment was not the real issue but rather young men’s unwillingness to take jobs. While older men saw relying on state benefits as humiliating, younger men were comfortable living off the state.

How does Murray explain the rise of illegitimacy?

He argued that the rise in illegitimacy was due to increased state benefits for single mothers and a shift in attitudes from punishing illegitimacy to accepting it.

How does Murray explain the rise in crime?

He believed crime increased because punishments became less severe; people were less likely to be caught, convicted, or receive harsh penalties compared to earlier decades.

What does Murray believe are the consequences of young men refusing to work?

He argued that because they do not work they engage in crime and illegitimacy further destroying their communities.

What solutions does Murray propose to address the problems of the underclass?

Murray suggested stricter social control measures, including:

• Greater use of imprisonment;

• Removing benefits for unmarried mothers;

• Forcing unmarried mothers to marry if they had children.

What criticisms have been made against Murray’s theory?

• Alan Walker (1990) – Believed that the poor were victims of social policy rather than the cause of social problems; and that Murray blames the victims and lacks strong evidence.

• Anthony Heath (1992) – Found that members of the underclass shared conventional societal values but lack opportunities.

• Pete Allock (1994) – Criticized Murray’s claim that lone parenthood leads to poor socialization, calling it a sweeping generalization; argued that removing benefits would cruelly deprive many good parents and children.