Within this assignment critical reflection upon the representations and interpretation of three group at risk of exclusion in society. The three groups being debated will all be of socio-economic groups. All three groups reflected upon will share one main similarity, that being that they are all parents to one or more children. Though the shared similarity each group will have very varied lifestyles, ideologies and situations. Throughout, debate will be explored, whilst touching upon similarities and differences within the chosen groups. Relevant theory will support the findings ending with a brief but critical conclusion.

Social inclusion is a complex process, “It involves the lack or denial of resources, rights, goods and services, and the inability to participate in the normal relationships and activities, available to the majority of people in a society, whether in economic, social, cultural or political arenas. It affects both the quality of life of individuals and the equity and cohesion of society as a whole” (Mack J, 2007).

Social exclusion is an increasing problem for many individuals. The Cabinet Office (2015) claim influences intensify an individua’s risk of becoming excluded. Studies demonstrate that being materially deprived, lacking social participation and having no parent in work with no educational qualifications radically increases the like hood of becoming excluded. (Barners & Cosier, 2015). 











Image 1: Family of five living in poverty











                                                                                        (University of Oxford, 2014)

The first image being debated is a family of five who fall into the lower class. By examining the image, the assumption is made that the family are at risk of experiencing exclusion and are stereotyped by society. The attire that the family are wearing proposes they may be unable to afford the latest designer clothing. The assumption is also made that the family have a low level of personal hygiene and self-respect. The background suggests that the family live in a council house which gives the interpretation of an overcrowded household. Based upon these assumptions it is assumed that the family face daily stigmatisation and stereotypes by those in society.

Families living in poverty are often at an increased risk of experiencing social exclusion, as a result of poor financial status and their assumed vulnerability within society. Those living in poverty are often at a huge disadvantage. Individua’s at risk of experiencing social exclusion often find themselves being denied access to vital emotional, cultural and material resources which then restrict them from accruing their capabilities (Sen, 1992). This particular image is interesting because it challenges the idea of what a typical poor family would portray, all members of the family seem to be happy and seem content with the little they have. 

“The human rights approach underlines the multidimensional nature of poverty, describing poverty in terms of a range of interrelated and mutually reinforcing deprivations, and drawing attention to the stigma, discrimination, insecurity and social exclusion associated with poverty” (King, 2012). 

One main aspect of social exclusion is the lack of access to basic services. Fundamental resources like power, transport, educational and financial resources are often denied to those living in poverty. One particular report pressing the findings from a comprehensive survey of poverty and social exclusion in Britain found that utility disconnections were one of the main contributions to social exclusion resulting in disadvantage for those living in poverty both in their home and community.  The report found that those living in a ‘no worker’ household had experienced power disconnection on 14 different occasion compared just 5 from a household of workers. On a separate occasion respondent were asked about access to a range of public services including, shops, libraries, banks, post offices etc. In each case, they were asked whether they used the service, used it but considered it inadequate, did not use it and did not want to, did not use it because it was unavailable, or did not use it because they could not afford to. Overall 24% of individuals were excluded from two or more services because they were unable to afford to pay for the service. 

Poverty does not only affect the access to resources it also affects both the emotional, and physical health of individuals. Research shows that children living in poverty are at an increased risk of experiencing a wide range of complex health issues compared to those from a wealthier household. Statistics report that the percent of children living in poverty who were in excellent health condition was just 37% compared to 55% of children from wealthier backgrounds. As well as physical health, statistics also show that poor children are at an increased risk of experiencing a delay in cognitive development, with 5% of poor children experiencing a cognitive delay compared to just 3% of non-poor children (Duncan & Gunn, 1997). 

Research show that those from a low-class family are more probable of experiencing certain factors which increase their vulnerability to risk (Turliuc, 2015). Across the U.K large numbers of young children are affected by one or more risk factors that have been linked to academic failure and poor health (Evans, 2004).  Among them is family economic headship, which is consistently associated with negative outcomes in these two areas. Children as young s 24 months who come from low income families have been found to show traits both cognitive and behavioural development (Halle & Wander, 2009). Other risk factors such as living in a single parent family or having a parent with low educational levels, especially when combined with poverty can increase a child’s chances of adverse outcomes. Children affected by multiples risks are most likely to experience school failure and other negative outcomes including maladaptive behaviour (Sparling & Ramey, 2010).

Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is a motivational theory in psychology which consists of five tier models of human needs Maslow (1943) stated that individuals are motivated to achieve certain needs and that some needs take precedence over others. Our most basis need is for physical survival this includes things like air, water, food, shelter. These needs are the first thing that motivates us and our behaviour, Once the phycological need is fulfilled individuals are motivated to reach the next level of the pyramid and so on (Mcleoad, 2017) Those living in poverty however are not likely to have the basic physical needs they need for survival and therefore they are very unlikely to reach self-fulfilment. 

 Those from a poor family or community are often stigmatised daily, Part of the stigma and false interpretation occurs due to the way the media portrays poverty. The media plays an important role in shaping, and amplifying society’s attitudes towards poverty.  The media often interprets poverty in a negative manner, referring to those in low income, poor households as skill less, living life accruing to a different value system and being unproductive in the wider community (McKendrick, 2008). 

Though poverty in the UK is a major social and political issue it is generally under reported in the media, however when mentioned, media resorts to stereotypes and has the tendency to judge and stigmatise. 

One media journalist claims “Poverty is worthy, not newsworthy” (Robinson, 2009). 

The on-screen representations of poverty are in fact far from reality, when appearing on popular television shows like Emmerdale for example everyone has a roof over their head, a meal on the table, and are not only well fed but are regular shown at the pub where they are never embarrassed when buying a round or two, most people have mobile phones and unemployment is rare. In fact, in the soaps the most obvious manifestation of having a low economic status is having insufficient space. Poverty is not interpreted as missing multiple meals or having a poor diet, ‘but in fact it is presented with the idea that food is never an issue, nor the inability to go on holiday or buying embarrassingly unfashionable clothes for the teenagers, it is expressed primarily through the display of cramped living quarters, often intensified by the accompaniment of claustrophobic wallpaper’ (McKendrick J, 2008).


Image 2: Family of five from middle-class 













                                                                               
                                                                                                       (Daily Mail, 2011). 

The next image being discussed is a family of four who fall into the middle class. By examining the image, the assumption is made that the family are living comfortably, we can assume that they are dressed in the latest attire. Unlike the family from the lower class it is assumed that this family have a better than average income as they have a pet which implies they can feed themselves and their pet dog. Though the assumption is made that thigh this family are in a better financial state than those in the first image we can see by examining their facial expressions that they don’t seem to be as happy. 

Middle class are a group of individuals ‘intermediate between the classes of higher and lower social rank or standing; the social, economic, cultural class, having approximately average status, income, education, tastes, and the like’ (Tarkhnishvili, 2013).

In February 2009 an article led by The Economist announced that over half of the worlds population now belongs to the middle class because of rapid development in emerging countries. It characterized the middle class as “Having a reasonable amount of discretionary income, so that they have roughly a third of their income left for discretionary spending after paying for basic food and shelter” (Grewal, 2014).

Unlike those of the lower class who are generally under represented in the media. The middle class are generally over represented by often appearing in popular TV dramas and situation comedies. Part of the British newspaper market is specifically aimed at those from the middle class, their consumption, and interests. The contents of these newspapers imply that the middle class are generally eager about the weakening of ethical standards in society and are proud of their British identity. Newspapers like the Daily Mirror generally target middle class audiences rather than individuals from the lower class. Media producers use audience research and analysis to find out as much as possible about their target audience and use that research to ensure their production will appeal to them. When creating media text, media producers often target demographic audiences. A demographic audience typically refers to groups of people based on things like age, gender, social class and income status (BBC, 2015). 

The middle-class family is one of the most prevailed socio-economic classes on television. According to Butsh (2005) 70% of all comedies between 1946-1990 had portrayals of middle class families. Though middle-class families are generally over represented, they too face serotypes, these stereotypes however are often misleading representations. In most middle-class series, both parents are intelligent, sensible, and mature. In these programmes the problem is typically involving one of the children. Also, the fathers were frequently more affluent and successful than those from the working class, amplifying the difference between middle class and working-class men (Edgerton, 2005).

Many argue that in recent years too many television comedies are becoming based on middle class families (Cohen, 2011). TV and review editor Boyd Hilton disagrees with this statement arguing that in recent years there has been numerous excellent series featuring middle class families which have been increasingly popular with the public, though there are many tv shows featuring middle class families which have been increasingly popular although he states that he think there are too many middle class family sitcoms and that there should be more working class ones. (The Guardian, 2011).

Image three: Upper class family 





 







                                                                                                      (Worldpress, 2014). 


The last image being discussed is a family of seven who fall into the an upper-class. In comparison to the two previous images we can see that this family have the most family members, and typically represent a multigenerational family (Bengston, 2001). By studying this image, the assumption is made that they are financially stable, the attire worn in the image suggests that the family can afford the least fashion items. All members of the family are suitably and smartly dressed fiving the assumption that they are wealthy. 

The upper class are a family, “whose members are descendants of successful individuals (elite members) of one, two, three or more generations ago. These families are at the top of the social class hierarchy; they are brought up together, are friends, and are intermarried one with another; and finally, they maintain a distinctive style of life and a kind of primary group solidarity which sets them apart from the rest of the population. (Baltzell, 1958). 

The media rarely portray those from the upper class in a negative light or draw any attention to inequalities in wealth or pay. In fact higharched and wealth are often celebrated and encouraged, the media almost continuing the myth that British is a meritocratic society and that these indivuslas are deserving of their position in society.  Popular films and televisions shows generally portray this social group in a nostalgist way.  Celebrities whom are from upper class backgrounds are often celebrated in the media, both their culture and excesses, Newman (2006) explains that the media devotes much of its time to examining the lifestyles of celebrities, often at celebrity weddings or the birth of a new child, Focusing on the luxury lifestyles of celebrities, advertises and focus luxury cars, holidays, designer clothing, the latest technology the things that only the wealthy can afford. Newman also suggests that a vast time is spent in the print and broadcast media on businesses and market information, again something which is more concern t the upper class than of the lower and middle class. (Houlbrook, 2014). 

It is not only celebrities which are generally over represented in the media, there is a national obsession with the ‘Royal Family’ with the media positively focusing on every aspect of the royal family lifestyle. News of the Royal severs as a reminder to the public of them identify as British and often such news gets global attention, most newspapers have a royal correspondent, an induvial l whose job is to report any news on the Royal Family. Some magazines even have a royal correspondent however do not have a foreign news correspondent, this suggest that the royal family are dominating social media. (Skemman, 2016). 

The younger royals also do their part in protecting the image of the Royal Family, Today’s media pays more attention to the individuals within the Royal Family than the actual institution (Balmer, Geyser & Urde, 2010). The younger generation is more in the public eye than they older and therefore hold greater power to preserve the image of the modern monarchy. 


To conclude, the media representation and the image portrayal among the three socio- economic classes are extremely different. The media portray the lower class in a negative light, generally under representing poverty in the media. Whereas the middle class and upper class are portrayed in a positive manner and are generally over represented within the media. The upper and middle class are seen to be the ones with the most power and are portrayed as dominant, whereas the lower class are portrayed as weak, and troublesome. 

References 

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