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
List of abbreviationss
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
Bibliography
Expert interview
List of abbreviations
Abz. paragraph
ALG II Unemployment benefit II
BGB- civil code.
or. respectively
ca. approximately
Ibid. ibidem
Ect. and so on
EU European Union
GG constitution
H.i.O. Emphasis in the original
Hrg. editor
JArbSchG Youth Employment Protection Act
JuSchG Youth Protection Act
Million. millions
O A. or similar
AUTOMOBILE automobile
S. side
SGB II Second Social Code – basic security for jobseekers
SGB VIII Eighth Social Code – Child and Youth Welfare
inter alia. among other things
and so on. And so on
cf. comparisons
e.B. For example
Zit. cited
1 Introduction
The number of children who have to grow up in poverty has been at a high level for years. About one in four children in Germany is affected by poverty. In 2017, there were approximately 13.42 million underage children in families in Germany. If one in four children now lives in poverty, this is 3.355 million children in Germany who are affected by poverty.1 (cf. Tophoven, Lietzmann, Reiter & Wenzig, 2017, p. 6; cf. Federal Statistical Office, 2018, online)
Child poverty severely impairs children's opportunities to participate. What is commonplace and self-evident for other children is a financially uncoming hurdle for poor families. Child poverty and the consequences that arise from it are a social problem that negatively affects the growing up and development of many children and thus determines the entire further course of life. It can also be observed that many children spend their lives in poverty and their parents have already grown up in poverty, so poverty is passed on over generations. That is why the issue is so important and strategies and measures must be developed to protect children from the consequences of poverty or to alleviate existing disadvantages. Children do not choose which family they live in and cannot change their poverty situation, but they have the right to grow up in well-being and to participate, and their family background should not play a role. The fact that the issue of child poverty is still topical and that there are still no sufficiently effective measures to combat them or are being implemented can be seen in the unchanged high number of people affected. (cf. Tophoven, Lietzmann, Reiter & Wenzig, 2017, p. 6f.; cf. Schütte, 2013, p. 5)
More and more documentaries, shows and series are also being shown on television that focus on the topic of poverty and child poverty.
This work deals with the following questions:
- Is poverty socially inherited?
- Can social work help fight poverty and mitigate the consequences of child poverty?
The aim of this work, supported by basic basic knowledge, is to gain an insight into the child-related poverty prevention of the city of Neustadt an der Weinstraße and to optimize and expand the existing measures in order to uncover their weak points and increase their possible success. To this end, it is important to gain an awareness of the topic of child poverty and its consequences as well as knowledge about poverty prevention and thus to be able to recognize the important role that social work plays in child-related poverty prevention.
The work begins with the definition of poverty in point 2.1. Sub-items 2.1.1 to 2.1.4 explain which relevant forms of poverty exist, how poverty is measured, when one is considered poor in Germany and what the current situation in Germany looks like. Point 2.2 deals specifically with the concept of child poverty. For this purpose, sub-points 2.2.1 to 2.2.4 are used, which deal with what is meant by a child, what the current situation in Germany is on the subject of child poverty, which causes are known in Germany for child poverty and who represents a special risk group. An attempt was made to present everything with the most up-to-date data, facts and figures possible.
Chapter three sets out the consequences of child poverty. Point 3.1 explains what is generally meant by consequences and what multiple deprivation means. Then the sub-points 3.1.1 to 3.1.5 explain which consequences can occur in the different life situations and what they mean for the rest of life. The five life situations consist of material care, housing, social participation, health care and the educational situation. This chapter, together with chapter five, is the focus of the work and is therefore one of the most important sections.
The next chapter deals with the question of social heredity. For this purpose, point 4.1 first clarifies what is meant by social inheritance. Sub-items 4.1.1 to 4.1.5 examine the various aspects that should be taken into account in social inheritance. These include the question of whether there is a way out of poverty, the spiral of poverty and its effects, the vicious circle of poverty and the question of how parents' level of education affects social inheritance. Finally, for a better understanding, the results are summarized and the insights gained are explained again in a compact form.
Chapter five begins by explaining what poverty prevention means. To this end, sub-items 5.1.1 What does poverty prevention mean especially for children? and 5.1.2 What are the tasks, challenges and limits for social work in relation to child poverty and social inheritance in Germany? led. Point 5.2 then deals with the practical example of the prevention measures against child poverty in Neustadt. In sub-point 5.2.1, the procedure is first explained, followed by the next sub-item, which describes the quarter in which it is concerned in more detail. 5.2.3 explains what the play and learning room is and what it contributes to poverty prevention in children. Finally, it is about the question of what can still be done in Neustadt an der Weinstraße to prevent poverty for children and what needs to be improved.
The work ends with the conclusion and conclusion by summarizing the previously obtained findings, answering the previously defined central questions of the elaboration and giving an assessment of future developments on the topic. This is all done in terms of social work.
For reasons of easier readability, the male language form is used in this bachelor thesis. However, this is not intended to discriminate against the female sex. The text is to be seen as gender-neutral. If a certain gender is meant, this will be made recognizable.
2 Definition
The following part deals with the definition of poverty. What forms of poverty are there? How can it be measured? What form of poverty is represented in Germany and what is the current situation? These are all important questions that must be clarified in advance in order to develop a good understanding of the topic. After dealing with the general concept of poverty, the text then deals with the central poverty theme of the elaboration: child poverty. First of all, it is important to clarify what is understood by a child in order to narrow down the target group. This is followed by an insight into the current situation of child poverty in Germany. Finally, the causes of child poverty are explained.
2.1 Definition of poverty
First of all, it is important to note that while there are many definitions of poverty, there are no uniform ones. However, a general understanding of poverty has developed in Europe over time. (cf. Holz, 2015, p. 26) This general understanding considers poverty in terms of disadvantage. This disadvantage affects a variety of areas of life, such as education, housing, health, consumption, nutrition or social participation. (cf. Dietz, 2010, p. 21) Kohler-Gehrig formulates poverty as follows:
"Poverty is a social phenomenon. This is understood to mean a state of serious social disadvantage with the consequence of a shortage of material goods, services, opportunities for participation and realization." (Kohler-Gehrig, 2016, p. 1)
This shows that poverty is multidimensional and cannot only be measured by low income. This is also clear when you compare people who live in the city with people from the village. In the city, life is often a lot more expensive (e.B. rents) than in the countryside. This means that people have less money available for other things, even if they receive an equally high income. Nevertheless, definitions that use income as a guideline are also needed, as Germany is a society in which money is indispensable as a means of social participation. (cf. Kohler-Gehrig, 2016, p. 2f.) The definition of poverty is also different for Germany than for developing countries. In Germany, one speaks of a relative poverty, because only rarely is anyone at risk of starvation. In developing countries, however, it is about survival and not starvation, where social disadvantage takes a back seat and one speaks of absolute poverty. (cf. Hradil, 2014, p. 20) These different types of poverty are discussed in more detail in the next point. It is also important to note that poverty is always individual. So there are people who seem poor from the outside, but do not perceive themselves as poor. Or even those who live in self-determined poverty, monks, for example. Again and again one encounters transitory poverty, i.e. people who can only not satisfy their basic needs beyond a certain period of time, e.g. unemployed or even students. (cf. Kohler-Gehrig, 2016, p. 4) These differentiated types of poverty are not included in this elaboration, it deals mainly with relative poverty. According to wood, poverty is characterized by four main characteristics:
1. The income of the person concerned is not sufficient to ensure adequate participation in the general standard of living in Germany.
2. Poverty affects every area of life and is permanently present. Poverty not only restricts the scope for action and decision-making, but also affects the social reputation and appearance of those affected.
3. Poverty is characterised by the undersupply of four central areas; Health, education, social participation and basic services. This undersupply leads to reduced future opportunities.
4. Social exclusion is another characteristic. People who are considered poor are often shunned and marginalized. Especially in children, this can often be observed. However, social exclusion does not always have to happen from the outside, but is also often carried out by those affected themselves, for example out of shame. (cf. Holz, 2015, p. 26)
However, it does not mean that all these points must also be covered to speak of a person who is considered poor. Again, this varies from person to person. Which is why an accurate definition of poverty is so difficult and one of the reasons why there is no uniform definition.
2.1.1 Forms of poverty
A bsolute or extreme poor are people who have less than 1.90 US dollars per capita available per day. In other words, people whose physical existence is threatened, who have little or no access to vital resources such as food, clothing, clean drinking water, medical care, etc. These people are considered poor even in Third World countries. Particularly affected by absolute poverty are those people who live in countries where civil war prevails or massive political violence determines life. (cf. Cremer, 2016, p. 13f.; cf. Kohler-Gehrig, 2016, p.1) On the other hand, absolute poverty is virtually non-existent in Germany, which is why the term absolute or extreme poverty is rarely used for poverty in Germany. (cf. Gerull, 2011, p. 14) According to the absolute concept of poverty, there would be no poverty in Germany.
When people talk about poverty in Germany and most European countries, the term relative poverty 2 is in the center. Relative poverty takes into account the environment and social standards of society. Relative poverty therefore includes those who have fewer resources available relative to the average wealth of the respective society in which they live. In doing so, it is based on the median income of the population. However, this does not mean the average value of all incomes, but the average value in the income distribution. This value is called a median. Those who have less than 60% of the median net income are affected by the relative risk of poverty and are considered to be the hidden poverty dedicated. (cf. Kohler-Gehrig, 2016, p. 1f.; cf. Butterwegge, 2010, p. 20) It is assumed that the existing income is too low to maintain a sufficient standard of living. What is understood by a sufficient standard of living depends on the respective society. (cf. Kraus, 2014, p. 157)
Relative poverty can therefore ultimately be equated with inequality within a society. This means that as long as inequality exists, there will always be poverty. (cf. Reichwein, 2012, p. 32) Due to this measure, the poverty line is neither limited in time nor space, but adapts to the constantly changing standard of living of a society. However, only the disposable income of the household is taken into account, assets, real estate, securities, etc. are not included. This suggests that the risk of poverty cannot only be measured by the disposable income of a household, but it is considered one of the most important indicators because, as mentioned earlier, Germany is a country that is predominantly market-oriented. In order to maintain a decent standard of living, a regular income is essential. (cf. Kraus, 2014, p. 156)
Another poverty concept of relative poverty is the multidimensional approach to life situations. In addition to income, this concept also includes other factors, such as education, health, social participation, etc., and is preferred in recent poverty research. It tries to capture poverty in a multidimensional way and to include different areas. Poverty is measured not only by the lack of money, but also by deficits in other areas of life. (cf. Reichwein, 2012, p. 32f.)
2.1.2 How is poverty measured?
Measuring poverty is a highly controversial issue.3 As already mentioned, it has not yet been possible to agree on a generally valid concept. However, the median was able to prevail in Europe for measuring poverty. However, since this only allows conclusions to be drawn about income, the life situation approach is often used to measure poverty. (cf. Cremer, 2013, p. 14)
In order to obtain the median value, it needs data on the disposable income of citizens in Germany. Various surveys are used for this purpose. One of these surveys is the microcensus. Once a year, one percent of German households are surveyed. This is about the total disposable income of a month, including child benefit, Christmas bonus (one-time payments are converted to the months), housing benefit, etc., minus taxes and social benefits. This survey is the only one in Germany for which there is a duty to provide information. (cf. Cremer, 2016, pp. 20 & 23) The total disposable income of households is then divided by the number of individual household members, but not all of them count equally. An adult person is rated 1.0, any additional adult or children from the age of 14 are rated 0.5. Children under the age of 14 are included with 0.3. The different weighting of the persons is due to the idea that the costs decrease if several people live in a household (e.B. with the rent). (cf. Kohler-Gehrig, 2016, p. 2) In addition, households of different sizes can be compared with each other. (cf. Cremer, 2016, p. 25)
Abbildung in dieser Leseprobe nicht enthalten
Figure Calculation example for determining the household income weighted according to need (net equivalence income), self-created.
So, if a family with two adults, a child over 14 years of age and a child under the age of 14 has a total income of € 3800 per month, this sum is divided by 2.3 (1.0 + 0.5 + 0.5 + 0.3). Thus, the net equivalence income is 1652 €. This value is now compared with the results of the other households.
After determining the Equivalic income these are arranged according to height. The median income represents the median value, everyone to the left of this value has less and everyone to the right of it has more money available. Those who have less than 60% of the median live at risk of poverty. (cf. Cremer, 2016, p. 21f.)
Abbildung in dieser Leseprobe nicht enthalten
Figure Presentation of the relationship between median and poverty risk line, self-created
For example, if the median value is €1652, it is determined how much 60% of it is. This would be €991 and this amount would represent the poverty risk threshold. All households with a net equivalence income of less than €991 would be at risk of poverty.
However, many are very critical of the at-risk-of-poverty line as an indicator of poverty. They argue that this limit does not measure poverty, but inequality in a society. Thus, in a rich society, even the poorest would not be really poor, and in a poor society where everyone is starving, there would be no people who would be considered poor after the 60% limit. They also point out that the percentage limit does not give any insight into people's lives. The poverty risk threshold presupposes that everyone manages their money equally, that there are frugal people and those who act uneconomically are not taken into account. The poverty risk threshold therefore gives little information about the actual life situations. (cf. Hradil, 2014, p. 21f.)
That is why research today largely includes the concept of the life situation. This concept states that people are not poor because they have little money, but because they are disadvantaged by the lack of money in many areas of society. (cf. Dietz, 2010, p. 21ff.) They therefore lack not only income and assets, but also opportunities for realization and participation. It also includes discrimination in the areas of education, social networks, housing, political and social participation and so on. (cf. Kohler-Gehrig, 2016, p. 3) In order to be able to define poverty with the life situation approach, minimum standards must first be set in the various areas. (cf. Reichwein, 2012, p. 33) Weisser (1957, quoted from Lessmann, 2009, p. 98) has distinguished between two layers:
"'Socially weak classes' belong to members of society whose life situation is considered unreasonable by the prevailing opinion in the public. "Socially vulnerable classes" belong to members of society whose life situation is threatened by events that have already occurred or can be predicted to sink below the level that is still reasonable in the prevailing opinion. ... A life situation that is still considered reasonable is called a 'social subsistence minimum'. The social subsistence minimum is therefore not a quantity that is fixed once and for all. The characteristics of the life situation, which must be given in order for the 'social subsistence minimum' to be present, can also be different from person to person in a given society. E.g. a piano virtuoso, in order to exist, forced to do hard manual work, this can put him in a life situation that is considered unreasonable."
This shows that there are no fixed minimum standards, but that they depend on the respective values and norms of society. Society determines what is considered unreasonable and what belongs to a fulfilled life. This subsistence minimum changes again and again and goes with the times, so in the past a television was a luxury good that only a few could afford and today it belongs to a humane basic equipment.4 Nevertheless, the life situation concept is not suitable as the sole measure of poverty, as it is too dependent on individual perception and thus an EU-wide comparative measurement of poverty is not possible. (cf. Gerull, 2011, p. 22)
2.1.3 Who is considered poor in Germany?
Abbildung in dieser Leseprobe nicht enthalten
Figure Income limits to rank rich and poor for singles and couples based on net monthly income (accessed May 9, 2018).
As the column chart shows, you were considered poor in Germany in 2017 if you had a monthly net income of € 781 or less as a single. Couples were considered poor if they earned €1,171 or less net per month. The average income, i.e. the median, is used as a measured value. This can be seen here as "normal" in the column chart, so in 2017 it was € 1,301 for an individual. Poor here refers to the border above which one speaks of a poverty risk threshold. So from 60% of the median. People who had more than €3,418 per month minus all taxes were referred to as rich.
Furthermore, in the Federal Republic of Germany, the term Poverty combated often used, especially in politics. Combated poverty includes people who receive state social benefits (e.B. ALG II, also called Harz VI). Recipients of social benefits are considered poor in society, even if in some cases the income exceeds the poverty line and they have more than 60% at their disposal. This is considered quite justified, since need for help is the core of poverty. However, many politicians do not want to add combated poverty to relative poverty, as it has been fought. (cf. Frech & Groh-Samberg, 2014, p. 21; cf. Kohler-Gehrig, 2016, p.3; cf. Gerull, 2011, p. 16) In Germany, poverty can also be divided into several degrees, so citizens with an income below 40% of the median income are considered to be affected by severe relative poverty. Persons with less than 50 % as living in relative poverty and people with a net equivalence income below 60 % as at risk of poverty. (cf. Cremer, 2016, p. 28; cf. Dietz, 2010, p. 21)
Since 2005, poverty in the EU has not only been determined by income, but supplemented by a look at material deprivation. To this end, citizens are asked whether they experience material deprivation in one of nine areas. These assessments are individual and depend on the person interviewed. For Germany, six of the nine categories are decisive here, as the question of washing machine and color TV is usually answered by the fact that they are available. Important, however, are the questions of the lack of a car (for financial reasons), the possibility of going on holiday, the possibility of being able to eat an adequate (balanced) meal every other day from one's own financial resources, whether the apartment can be adequately heated, whether the rent or bills for utility services can be paid on time and whether unexpected expenses in the amount of the poverty risk threshold can be covered themselves. Those who respond in four or more of the nine areas by saying that they have material deprivations live with considerable material deprivations and are therefore also considered poor. (cf. Cremer, 2016, pp. 41 & 44)
2.1.4 Current situation in Germany
According to the Federal Government's 5th Poverty and Wealth Report, the number of citizens affected by poverty in 2016 was consistently at the same level as in recent years and has recently increased at most slightly. Since the main indicator of poverty is unemployment, it is considered essential to take a look at developments in the labour market with regard to the development of poverty. The number of employees subject to social security contributions rose from 26.5 million in June 2006 to 31.4 million in June 2016, the highest level since 1990. By comparison, the unemployment rate has fallen from 11.7 percent in 2005 to 6.1 percent in 2016, meaning that the number of unemployed has fallen from 4.9 million in 2005 to 2.7 million in 2016.. (cf. Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, 2017, p. 8)
However, statistics published by the Federal Statistical Office show that the risk of poverty in Germany rose from 14.7% to 15.7% between 2005 and 2016. (cf. Federal Statistical Office, 10.08.2017, online) As can be seen in the figure below, in 2016 a total of 19.7% of Germany was affected by poverty or social exclusion, i.e. about 16 million people with a population of about 81 million citizens. In addition, another 16.5% are at risk of poverty and 3.7% have to live with considerable material deprivation. The 18- to 56-year-olds are most affected, closely followed by those under the age of 18.
Abbildung in dieser Leseprobe nicht enthalten
Figure Proportion of population affected by poverty or social exclusion in Germany in 2016 (accessed on 9 May 2018)
In 2015, around 6 million people received benefits under SGB II in order to reach the subsistence level. (cf. Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, 2017, p. 11) This shows that these two areas are measured differently and that one cannot conclude from one figures and developments to the other.
2.2 Definition of child poverty
Children affected by poverty are usually undersupply in many areas, such as health, education and participation. The everyday life of children affected by poverty is usually characterized by many deprivations. So usually the money for a visit to the cinema, theater or outdoor pool is missing, even to pursue expensive hobbies, is almost never money there. This has a negative effect on decision-making and scope for action as well as on learning and experiential scope, which play a decisive role in child development. (cf. Andersen & Galic, 2015, pp. 37 & 39) It is particularly important to address child poverty, as poverty has more consequences for children than poverty for adults. Children are in constant physical and spiritual development and poverty is one of the factors that can negatively affect these developments, which affects the entire life of the individual. (cf. Reichenwein, 2012, p. 45) The degree of negative impact is also determined by how long a child is exposed to poverty. The sooner and longer the state of child poverty is part of life, the greater the consequences for the development and future of the child. (cf. Kohler-Gehrig, 2016, p. 41) The life situation approach is better suited to measuring poverty. The income says nothing about the actual poverty of the children and also about the disadvantages it suffers as a result. Although the income of the parents plays an important role, after all, it is the basis for child poverty, it says nothing about how the child feels and perceives his poverty. Nevertheless, a child in the EU is only considered poor if the net equivalence income of his or her household is below the poverty risk threshold. (cf. Holz, 2010 d, p. 37f.) In general, child poverty is defined by three characteristics:
1. Income poverty in the child's household.
2.The child experiences deficits in the form of undersupply in four central dimensions of his life:
(a) basic material services(see point 2.1.1)
(b) cultural situation (see point 2.1.4)
(c) social situation (see point 2.1.3)
(d) health situation (see point 2.1.5)
3. There are three types of life situations that are child-related:
(a) A child shows deficits in its development but grows up in well-being.
(b) A child grows up with disadvantages in one or a few dimensions of life and has deficits in them.
(c) A child grows up with disadvantages in a variety of life dimensions, i.e. multiple deprivation, and thus has very little chance of development (cf. Holz, 2010 a, p. 25f.)
2.2.1 Disambiguation "child"
This section deals with the meaning of the term child in relation to this bachelor thesis. When the term child is used in this elaboration, it refers to boys and girls until they are 25 years old. The terms adolescents and young adults are not mentioned separately, but included in the term child. However, if certain age groups are meant separately, this is explicitly mentioned. This approach was chosen because: children poverty refers not only to children, but also to adolescents and young adults, and many consequences of poverty affect a wide age range and not just a certain age group. In the case of young adults, for example, the poverty experienced over the years has a great influence on the chances on the labour market, which is why it is considered important in this elaboration to include this age group in the term child. The aim is therefore to focus less on the effects of child poverty on the individual age groups, but rather on the general consequences, which also have an impact not only on a certain stage of life, but also affect the entire life of the individual.
It is also difficult to define a specific definition of a child, as there is also no uniform definition in German law. In the Basic Law, childhood ends at the age of majority, i.e. at 18 (cf. Article 6 and § 2 BGB), wherein the Youth Protection Act understands children as persons under the age of 14, after which they count as adolescents until their 18th birthday. (cf. §1 Abs. 1 JuSchG) The Youth Employment Protection Act, on the other hand, defines children as people who are not yet 15 years old and young people as people between the ages of 15 and 18. (cf. §2 para. 1 and 2 JArbSchG) According to Article 1 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, one is a child until his or her 18th birthday. In addition, the understanding of the term child depends on culture and society. Thus, there is no universal definition. Different definitions are also used in the field of childhood, poverty and family research. (cf. March, 2017, p. 37f.)
2.2.2 The situation of child poverty in Germany
Since the introduction of Hartz VI and the most extensive labour market reform to date, the child poverty rate has more than doubled, according to calculations by the German Children's Fund. Every fifth child in Germany is considered poor. So it is not surprising that a survey of German citizens showed that 58% are of the opinion that the German government does little to combat child poverty. In fact, 14% believe that very little is being done. (cf. Deutsches Kinderhilfswerk, 2018, p. 10)
Abbildung in dieser Leseprobe nicht enthalten
Figure At-risk-of-poverty rate in Germany by age in 2016. (accessed on 16 May 2018).
The 2016 statistics show that children under the age of 18 (20.2%) and young adults between the age of 18 and 25 (25.5%) are at risk of poverty. They thus represent a major risk group. This shows how important it is to deal with the issue of poverty among children. At 45.7%, 4.5% more people under the age of 25 are affected by poverty than those over 25, and thus the at-risk-of-poverty rate for child poverty is higher than the at-risk-of-poverty rate for adults.
The costs of child and youth welfare in Germany show a significant increase in child poverty. While in 2005 about 7 million euros were spent on individual and group aid and about 13 million euros on institutions, in 2016 it was already about 18 million euros for individual and group aid and about 27 million euros for institutions, which makes a total of about 45 million euros and an increase of 25 million euros compared to 2005. There are many reasons for this large increase in expenditure, but one of the main reasons is an increase in the use of services. More and more people decided to take advantage of child and youth welfare measures. Nevertheless, it can be said that the services mentioned are often used by people who are affected by poverty, in this case child poverty. Therefore, there is a correlation between the increase in the child poverty rate and the increasing expenditure on child and youth welfare.
Abbildung in dieser Leseprobe nicht enthalten
Figure Expenditure* for child and youth welfare in Germany from 2001 to 2016 (in millions of euros). (accessed on May 14, 2018).
*"The values given here are the sums of the data shown in the publication on expenditure on individual and group assistance and other tasks according to SGB VIII ("Total expenditure" until 2008 or "Expenditure/disbursements" in total from 2009) and the data for expenditure on child and youth welfare by type of institution ("Total expenditure" until 2008 or "Total expenditure/disbursements" from 2009)."
2.2.3 Reasons for child poverty in Germany
The main cause of child poverty can be found in the (long-term) unemployment of parents, because poor children usually live in poor families. (cf. Zander, 2008, p. 46) According to the 5th Poverty and Wealth Report of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (see 2017, p. 25), the risk of poverty for children of unemployed parents is 65%. In comparison, the risk of poverty drops to 15% if one parent has a full-time job, and even to only 5% if both parents are gainfully employed and one works full-time. Families with more than two children are also more likely to be affected by poverty. (cf. Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, 2017, p. 26) However, it is not only unemployment that poses a risk of poverty, but also marginal employment (work on a €450 basis), part-time work or fixed-term contracts. Often these people need state support after the contract expires or belong to the working poor group, i.e. they work, but do not earn enough to get over the poverty risk line. (cf. Holz, 2015, p. 26) Also, children are not always born into poverty, but fall into child poverty through divorce of their parents or death of the sole breadwinner. (cf. Butterwegge, 2014, p. 109f.) It is also important not to forget people with mental and physical impairments as well as the sick and those in need of care, because they also represent a risk group for poverty risk and children of these families are also affected. Furthermore, over-indebtedness, multi-problem situations, a migration background and a low level of education are among the causes of poverty. In addition, there are distinctions in the areas of age and gender. This shows that in comparison, women as well as children and young people live most often in poverty. (cf. Dietz, 2010, p. 15; cf. Lutz, 2012, p.19; cf. Holz, 2015, p. 26) It can be said that when children grow up in a family under the following five characteristics, they are very likely to be at risk of poverty, including: single parent, migrant background, low education, at least two siblings and an apartment in a so-called "social hotspot" (also called social district). Depending on how many of the points apply to the child's family, the more the risk increases. (cf. Holz d, 2010, p. 34ff.) The socio-spatial context plays a major role because there is a high concentration of people living in poverty in these residential areas, in addition, there is often a poor infrastructure in these districts and the housing conditions are narrow and inadequate. But the most affected thing is the entrenched poverty that prevails in the neighborhoods and shows few prospects for a better life. It influences people's thoughts and actions. (cf. Lutz, 2012, p. 20)
2.2.4 Special risk groups of child poverty
In this section, a few risk groups of child poverty mentioned in advance are explained in more detail. These include: Single educated, large families and people with a migration background. single parent and children are the people who most often live in poverty. (cf. Kraus, 2014, p. 29; cf. Zander, 2008, p. 46) In 2016, there were about 2.7 million single managed 10 people in Germany. (Federal Statistical Office, online, accessed 23.05.2018 9:22 a.m.) In 2016, 43.6% of this is affected by relative income poverty, i.e. around 1.2 million people. This percentage visibly exceeds the poverty rate of the entire citizens of Germany. (Federal Statistical Office, online; cf. Braches-Chyrek & Lenz, 2011, p. 21) Here, the main reason for how it comes to the household type single parent is a divorce or separation. This often has economic consequences that lead to poverty. When a couple separates, they need two apartments, both of which also offer space for the child or children. Everything that was previously shared must now be purchased twice (e.B. car, furniture, household appliances, etc.). Increased travel costs can also arise, depending on how far apart the parents now live and how the visiting hours are regulated. The statistics show that the net equivalence income of the family is now changing. To illustrate, here is a calculation example:
before:
Father, mother and a 16-year-old child (1.0 + 0.5 + 0.5 = 2)
Income: 2500 € per month
Net equivalence income: 2500 € : 2 = 1250 €
After separation:
Father, mother and a 16-year-old child (1.0 + 1.0 + 0.5 = 2.5)
Income: 2500 € per month
Net equivalence income: 2500 € : 2,5 = 1000 €
Before the separation, the second adult was counted by a factor of 0.5 to express the common household, but since two households are now needed, each person from the age of 18 counts at 1.0 and the net equivalence income decreases accordingly. This often leads to families slipping below the poverty risk threshold after separation. It should be mentioned here that the divorce rate, and thus also the number of single those, has risen sharply in recent years. (cf. Cremer 2016, p. 34f.) Another reason for the risk of poverty of single those who are not sufficient childcare facilities. (cf. Lutz, 2012, p. 19; cf. Braches-Chyrek & Lenz, 2011, p. 22) For example, the parents with whom the child or children live can often only work part-time or not at all. Women are most affected by this, as after a separation, the children usually live with the mother. (cf. Braches-Chyrek & Lenz, 2011, p. 21)
Large families represent a minority in Germany, but the risk of poverty increases with the number of children. (cf. Cremer, 2016, p. 35f.; cf. WirtschaftsWoche online, 2018, online) In 2016, there were around 1.8 million families in Germany in which three or more children live. This is relatively little when one considers in comparison that there were around 3.5 million households with two children and around 3.4 million families with only children. (Federal Statistical Office, 2016, online) The at-risk-of-poverty rate was 27.4% for families with three or more children in 2016. (Federal Statistical Office, 2016, online) This shows that in Germany there is an insufficient balancing of family burdens. For large families, the current system of taxes, levies and transfers is inadequate. In addition, there are rather low incomes, which are not able to cope with a large household. Even the gradual increase in child benefit in recent years does not help to successfully counteract the risk of poverty. (cf. Cremer, 2016, p. 36; cf. Lutz, 2012, p. 19) Even with this type of household, inadequate childcare contributes to poverty. To ensure childcare, a parent must either stay at home and thus not be able to work or he can only accept a part-time job, which means that the family has less money available. Also, you need more money the more children live in the family. For example, a family with several children, which at first glance has more money available than a family with only one child, can still fall below the risk of poverty rate, while the family with less money but also fewer children is still above the 60% limit.
...
1 Child poverty is a major issue in all countries of the world, but this work focuses only on child poverty in the Federal Republic of Germany.
2 For reasons of simplicity, better readability and since no poverty distinction is made in colloquial language, in the present work the umbrella term poverty refers to relative poverty. If another type of poverty is meant, this is explicitly named.
3 The ways of measuring poverty presented here are often viewed critically, as they have many disadvantages and weaknesses in addition to their advantages. In this work, an attempt was made to present the different types of measurement as neutrally as possible and only to explain how they are applied, what is understood by them and where their weaknesses lie. Since the focus of this elaboration is not on the different definitions and measurement concepts of poverty, the criticism is not discussed in more detail in order not to exceed the scope. More detailed information about the disadvantages of the individual concepts and about other ones not listed here can be found in the book by Susanne Gerull, which is noted in the bibliography.
4 Since it would exceed the extent of the elaboration, the life situation approach is only briefly and superficially touched upon here. If you are more interested in the topic, you should deal with the works of Gerhard Weisser, as he has further developed and made known the concept of life situations. If you do not want to read through all his works, you can deal with the book by O. Lessmann, which summarizes the individual works of Weisser and also explains other approaches of other people. The book can be found in the bibliography.
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- Anónimo,, 2019, Social heredity of child poverty in Germany. What possibilities does social work have for its prevention?, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1182194
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