Współczesne ubóstwo w perspektywie strukturalnej

Abstract

In sociology, one of the key disciplines in the pauperisation process analysis, its povertyrelated academic output may be subdivided into two main pairs of theoretical approaches: cultural approach versus structural approach, and static approach versus dynamic approach. Analyses referred to in this paper are focused on the use of the structural perspective in the reflection upon contemporary poverty, and they cover both theoretical considerations as well as results of empirical studies dating back to the turn of the 20th century as well as of the contemporary ones, which undergo dynamic development. On the one hand these considerations concern relations between poverty and social structure, i.e. the share and position of the poorin the structure, as well as the distances that separate them from other segments of the structural system, and the internal differentiation of the communities of the poor, taking into account such basic dimensions as gender, age or place of residence on the other. The social profile of the contemporary poor people is presented with an aid of available results of empirical studies as well as with the data of EUROSTAT and the Main Statistical Office that address the subject matter.