Language and myths of poverty
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Authors
Haigh, David
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Date
2020-02-24
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Type
Journal Article
Ngā Upoko Tukutuku (Māori subject headings)
Keyword
poverty
myths
perceptions
narratives
history
neoliberalism
social policy
Great Depression (1929-1939)
Depressions, 1929.
causes of poverty
social inequality
welfare policy
myths
perceptions
narratives
history
neoliberalism
social policy
Great Depression (1929-1939)
Depressions, 1929.
causes of poverty
social inequality
welfare policy
ANZSRC Field of Research Code (2020)
Citation
Haigh, D. (2020). Language and myths of poverty, Whanake: The Pacific Journal of Community Development, 5(1), 67–79. Unitec ePress. Retrieved from: http://www.unitec.ac.nz/epress
Abstract
“Poverty strikes dead the very souls of all who come within sight, sound or smell of it.”
G.B. Shaw, Major Barbara
This paper explores the popular and political myths and language used about poverty and those who are poor. These are viewed through three historical periods: the Victorian era, the period of the 1930s great depression and the contemporary world since neoliberalism took hold in the 1980s. Each period has its own language about those in poverty. The Victorians imposed a harsh system comprising transportation of poor petty criminals to the British colonies, and incarceration in workhouses for others. Writers and researchers such as George Bernard Shaw and Charles Booth deplored the cruelty of the workhouse system. The experiences of the unemployed during the depression were highlighted by Tony Simpson, and through articles and letters to the editor in local New Zealand newspapers. Contemporary thinkers such as Jonathan Boston and Susan St John continue to expose the myths of poverty and point to policies for a more benevolent system.
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Unitec ePress
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Unitec ePress
Copyright notice
Language and myths of poverty is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 New Zealand
Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 New Zealand