SOSC 103D Social Inequality in HK Lecture 14: Poverty and Marginality

L14: Marginalized groups Groups of people who have encountered difficulties in participating fully in society Who are they?  Lack of economic resources (poverty)  Lack of social rights (citizenship)  Lack of community support (discrimination)

L14: Social Exclusion “a comprehensive formulation, which refers to the dynamic process of being shut out, fully or partially, from any of the social, economic, political or cultural systems” (Walker & Walker, 1997)

L14: Social Exclusion (cont’)  Measures: Exclusion from good and services Labour market exclusions Exclusion from land Exclusion from security Exclusion from human rights and political rights Exclusion from macro-economic development strategy

L14: Example: Street sleepers Major reasons for street sleeping: –Low income, cannot afford high rents –Having conflicts with family members Without an address: –Difficulties in applying and finding a job –Other social and political rights Without a shelter: –No water supply, having poor and dusty environment –Disturbances from pedestrians –Frequent checks by the police

L14: Other examples of marginalized groups Elderly Cage-homers New arrivals Ethnic Minorities Single parent families Youth (finished schooling but unemployed) The disabled or have serious illness Released prisoners Sex workers