Initially, child poverty is probably not a problem associated with a structurally strong country like Germany. Nevertheless, estimates by the Federal Statistical Office assume that in 2017 over 3 million children were affected by poverty.
Poverty is not a purely financial problem. The limited ability to participate socially often has lifelong effects on the affected children. Because parents pass on their social status to their children. How can this happen in a rich country? And how can social work combat child poverty?
This publication explains the process of social inheritance and the consequences of child poverty. She then shows the possibilities of poverty prevention. But how effective has it really been so far? Social work can only put an end to child poverty through increased education and political commitment.
From the content:
- Social participation;
-Society;
- Multiple deprivation;
-Social exclusion;
-Social background
Table of Contents
1 Introduction
2 Definition
2.1 Definition of poverty
2.2 Definition of child poverty
3 Consequences of child poverty
3.1 Consequences of poverty and multiple deprivation
4 Inheritance of poverty
4.1 Definition of the term "social inheritance"
5 What is the role of social work?
5.1 What does poverty prevention mean?
5.2 Prevention measures against child poverty using the example of Neustadt an der Weinstraße
6 Final reflection and conclusion
Objectives & Core Themes
The primary aim of this work is to analyze child-related poverty prevention initiatives in the city of Neustadt an der Weinstraße, evaluate their effectiveness, and identify potential areas for optimization. The research explores the correlation between poverty and intergenerational social inheritance, examining how social work interventions can mitigate the long-term consequences of poverty for children.
- Analysis of child poverty definitions and socio-economic risk groups in Germany.
- Investigation into the consequences of child poverty across life situations, including health and education.
- Theoretical examination of "social inheritance" and the mechanisms of poverty entrenchment.
- Evaluation of social work's role and existing municipal poverty prevention strategies.
- Development of recommendations for strengthening prevention chains and supporting disadvantaged families.
Excerpt from the Book
3.1.2 Effects on the children's housing situation
Poor people often live in so-called "social quarters". These are mostly high-rise blocks, in which mainly people live, who live on state aid, belong to the category poor and can afford other apartments only with difficulty. In these neighborhoods, there is often a similar way of thinking, which leads to uniform behaviors among the residents. Children who grow up in these neighborhoods and are taught these ways of thinking and behaving from an early age find it difficult to get out of these districts and poverty in later life. (cf. Hradil, 2014, p. 27; cf. Lutz, 2012, p. 17f., cf. Kohler-Gehrig, 2016, pp. 14 & 36f.) This way of thinking often includes the assumption that you cannot change anything about your own situation. This thinking is usually based on negative experiences. There is a feeling of powerlessness. There are also people who think that if the state pays them money, why should they go to work for it? Maybe they don't have a lot of money, but they can get by with it. (cf. Kohler-Gehrig, 2016, p. 43) These neighborhoods, often referred to as social hotspots, are usually created by the fact that the people who earn better move away and more and more poor people move in. As a result, almost only people live in the district whose living environments are very similar. The result is a collection of poor people who form their own community and close themselves off from the rest of society, which leads to the stigmatization of the neighborhood and its inhabitants. Social hotspots usually arise in old city districts or in apartment blocks, which are located on the outskirts of the city. (cf. Gerull, 2011, p. 124) In these urban areas, this creates a collection of certain social groups whose members are similar in points such as poverty, religion or social milieu.
Summary of Chapters
1 Introduction: Provides an overview of the prevalence of child poverty in Germany, outlines the research questions, and describes the scope and structure of the thesis.
2 Definition: Explores various concepts of poverty, discusses measurement methods in Germany, and defines the specific challenges associated with child poverty.
3 Consequences of child poverty: Examines the multifaceted impact of poverty on a child's development, including material, educational, and health-related aspects.
4 Inheritance of poverty: Discusses the theoretical framework of social heredity, the spiral of poverty, and factors influencing intergenerational mobility.
5 What is the role of social work?: Analyzes the potential of social work in poverty prevention, focusing on municipal strategies in Neustadt an der Weinstraße.
6 Final reflection and conclusion: Synthesizes the findings and answers the research questions regarding the effectiveness of social work in mitigating child poverty.
Keywords
Child poverty, social inheritance, social work, poverty prevention, Neustadt an der Weinstraße, relative poverty, multiple deprivation, social mobility, education, health, resilience, social exclusion, life situation approach, childcare, child welfare.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research?
The research focuses on the "social heredity" of child poverty in Germany and investigates how professional social work can intervene to prevent the long-term reproduction of poverty in children's lives.
What are the primary themes discussed?
The study covers definitions of poverty, the consequences of multiple deprivation, the dynamics of social inheritance, and practical prevention measures, specifically using the city of Neustadt as a case study.
What is the research goal?
The main goal is to analyze existing child poverty prevention measures in Neustadt, identify their weaknesses, and offer improvements to enhance their success in supporting disadvantaged children.
Which scientific methods are applied?
The work employs a literature-based analysis of poverty concepts and supplements this with qualitative research through an expert interview conducted at a local social institution in Neustadt.
What topics are covered in the main section?
The main body examines the structural impact of poverty on material resources, housing, social participation, health, and education, alongside the theoretical mechanisms of the "poverty spiral" and "vicious circles."
Which keywords define this work?
Key terms include child poverty, social inheritance, social work, poverty prevention, municipal interventions, resilience, and multiple deprivation.
How does the author define "child" in this study?
In this thesis, the term "child" is used broadly to encompass individuals up to 25 years of age to include the critical phase of transition into the labor market and adulthood.
What conclusion does the author reach regarding the "social inheritance" of poverty?
The author argues that while socio-economic status is often passed down, poverty is not genetically predetermined; with professional, early, and continuous support, social mobility and an escape from the "poverty spiral" are possible.
What specific improvements does the author suggest for the city of Neustadt?
The author advocates for better networking between institutions, the development of specialized support for families at risk, and the establishment of a "prevention chain" that covers all age ranges, including early childhood and puberty.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Anonym (Autor:in), 2019, Social heredity of child poverty in Germany. What possibilities does social work have for its prevention?, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1182194
