 Key Terms  Bolaria & Wotherspoon’s Main Argument  Supporting Points (I) Income Inequality and Poverty (I) Income Inequality and Poverty (II) Income Inequality, Life Chances and Consumption (II) Income Inequality, Life Chances and Consumption (III) Income Inequality and Food (III) Income Inequality and Food  Why is Poverty Important?  Critical Overview  Exercise  Our Experience (Conclusion)

Poverty Poverty Income Inequality Income Inequality Life Chances Life Chances Welfare State Welfare State Food Banks Food Banks Victim-Blaming Ideology Victim-Blaming Ideology

“While the significance and concentration of poverty in the Third World cannot be overstated, neither have the advanced capitalistic countries eliminated economic inequalities and poverty. The inequalities of wealth and income produce unequal life chances. Poverty translates into homelessness, ill health, short life expectancy, malnutrition, and hunger, to mention only a few of its effects.” (Bolaria & Wotherspoon 73)

(I)Income Inequality and Poverty (II) Income Inequality, Life Chances and Consumption (III) Income Inequality and Food

 Income inequality is linked to social stratification.  Poverty is on the rise in Canada.  Big business benefits.  Corporations benefit directly and indirectly.  Poverty and Food Banks  Food Banks are a temporary solution.

 Max Weber’s belief that class is linked to people’s life chances  Economic and social inequalities = unequal opportunities  Link between income inequality and consumption  Link between income inequality and nutrition and health

DDDDemand for Food Banks CCCCut backs on social services VVVVictim-blaming ideology CCCCauses of hunger and poverty

Strengths Strengths  Provides facts to support his arguments  Broad Focus  Detailed arguments Weaknesses Weaknesses  One-sided argument  Pessimistic View  Lack of clear Solution  Outdated facts and information Is Bolaria and Wotherspoon’s arguments persuasive?

 P overty is on the rise  N egative health effects  C ycle  A wareness of poverty

Debate Exercise: Instructions 1. Presently you have been divided into two societal class group. Those of you with the blue paper constitute the rich, while those of you with green paper represent the poor. 1. Presently you have been divided into two societal class group. Those of you with the blue paper constitute the rich, while those of you with green paper represent the poor. 2. We will pose a debate question to the class. Using the text and the information provided throughout the presentation you will be expected to defend the class group which you have already been assigned. 2. We will pose a debate question to the class. Using the text and the information provided throughout the presentation you will be expected to defend the class group which you have already been assigned. 3. You will be given 5 minutes to discuss this question as a group. You must then choose at least 3 members to present your points. 3. You will be given 5 minutes to discuss this question as a group. You must then choose at least 3 members to present your points. 4. Each team will be given time to present their main points. Each opposing group will be give adequate time to rebut at the end. 4. Each team will be given time to present their main points. Each opposing group will be give adequate time to rebut at the end. 5. The group with the most persuasive argument will win! 5. The group with the most persuasive argument will win!

With poverty rates on the rise, should the Canadian Government play an active role in promoting the welfare state?

Yes, the Canadian government should play an active role in promoting the welfare state, because increased government funding can help reduce poverty rates. As the authors have pointed out food banks are only a temporary and inadequate solution to poverty. A move to less government intervention will only intensify existing inequalities between the rich and the poor. Social programs are necessary in the fight against income inequalities, because it gives low-income families a tool to stop the cycle of poverty. Yes, the Canadian government should play an active role in promoting the welfare state, because increased government funding can help reduce poverty rates. As the authors have pointed out food banks are only a temporary and inadequate solution to poverty. A move to less government intervention will only intensify existing inequalities between the rich and the poor. Social programs are necessary in the fight against income inequalities, because it gives low-income families a tool to stop the cycle of poverty.

 Food Banks  Good Will/Salvation Army