What is 'Povertyism'?

Page 1 of 4

This learning object explores the way that this discrimination works and seeks to help make practitioners aware of the impact and implications of some of the ways it works for the families who use services.

Before we hear from family members about some of their experiences of 'povertyism', can you think of some of the ways practitioners may discriminate against parents on the basis of being poor?

Page 2 of 4

Now look at these quotes taken from the accounts of parents describing their contact with children's social care. How do these relate to the ideas you wrote on the previous screen? What facets of 'povertyism' do they reveal?

  • 'We are giving you food vouchers because we have to ensure you prioritise the needs of the children.'
  • 'We are very concerned about the poor repair of your flat.'
  • 'You have enough money for cigarettes. You must put the children first.'
  • 'You need to give the children a better balance. I have not seen any fruit in your house.'
  • 'Other parents cope on benefits. Why can't you?'
  • 'We are not an income maintenance agency. We will not give you any money. Go and see the Benefits Agency.'
  • 'Let me be straight with you. You never have any money - are you on drugs?'

Page 3 of 4

On the next page you will read extracts from three interviews with family members discussing some examples of how they felt ‘povertyism’ may be perpetuated by professionals and agencies.

Overall family members felt that many practitioners often lacked an understanding of the impact of poverty on the children and families they worked with, as well as on the services provided.

Their statements highlight the following dynamics

  • being judged by prejudices, stereotypes and preconceived ideas about poor people, including being feckless and irresponsible;
  • not being respected as an individual;
  • feeling blamed for being poor;
  • feeling you don't matter and your perspectives and needs are not being recognised.

Page 4 of 4

Interview transcripts:


Clip 1

Well they kind of talk down to me as if I'm just like no one really.

Clip 2

'It was always stated on commercials or posters everywhere 'If you need help, ask.' so I asked and then I had a horrific shock because at no time did anybody help or support me with my son to get a grasp of my issues and problems,or enable me in any way sense or form.'

Clip 3

'A thing I don't like is they come in look in cupboards look in your fridge freezer look in your room to find out if you've got enough food bedding on the bed got enough clothes for the kids and they're warm and they've got enough toys I really didn't like that found it very intrusive cause I thought can't they trust me can't they trust me to feed my kids clothe my kids but, I just keep up beat I just speak to myself they are only doing it because they think they've got reason to do it so just let them carry on.

It makes me feel like I'm not a human being makes me feel like I don't know what I'm doing and I don't know what is needed and what isn't needed.'

Clip 4

'Because most often people are wage earners they can afford to live away from deprived areas they have their choices and they have no comprehension or inclination of the pressure mentally and emotionally and the strain to survive on poverty and what it means in real terms to us and to not just, and to bear that in mind not to judge people by stress, anger or mental anguish as aggressive because people just want to be heard and respected and we've got no power to get like that if they are lucky enough to have choices where they live and their wages, please remember that they are lucky and not all of us are that lucky.'