Social Services In The Fight Against Poverty

The global economic crisis of 2008 further widened the gap between rich and poor. The effects of the crisis are marginalizing thousands of people, putting them in a precarious economic situation. The most disadvantaged members of society felt its effects most strongly, leading to a significant increase in the need for social services. How do social services help in the fight against poverty?

In general, people associate poverty with poor pay. Researchers often measure poverty as individual or household income. However, there is no universal or absolute criterion, only relative criteria for measuring poverty. These relative criteria take into account the period in question and the geographical location in the analysis of poverty and average income level (Del Barrio, 2014).

It is important to understand that the concept of poverty is multidimensional. There is no single specific focus or area of ​​influence for it.

Poverty and marginalization

As mentioned above, there is no single definition or classification of poverty. The phenomenon can be measured in many different ways (Del Barrio 2014):

• According to the quality of the data used to measure poverty. Objective or subjective.
• Taking into account the reference value used to determine the poverty line. Absolute or relative.
• According to the period of the study subject. Transversal (in a given year) or long-term.
• By analyzing the inability to access basic resources. Lack of multidimensional.

According to the United Nations Development Program, poverty means the lack of alternatives or opportunities needed for a tolerable standard of living. This program utilizes the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI), which is used as a benchmark to determine who lives in poverty. The UN designed the MPI to reflect the impact and intensity of the shortcomings suffered by people.

Marginalization is also a term that is multidimensional. It affects individuals, groups of people and geographical areas. Marginalization can also be viewed in terms of income, health, education, access to services, housing and debt. Thus, according to Spicker, Alvares, and Gordon (2009), marginalization can lead to the following problems:

• Homelessness.
• Urban crises.
• Ethnic tension.
• Rising long – term unemployment.

• Persistently high levels of poverty.

Social services in the fight against poverty

There is no doubt that social services are a fundamental pillar of an integrated health care system. Professionals who work day in and day out to help people in need go through each individual case carefully. Indeed, they understand the importance of being able to adapt young people to each situation.

While many services simply help to cure or fix emerging problems, the idea is not just to put a patch on top of the problem.

It is very important to avoid patronage and focus on empowering individuals. Social services need to work with individuals and help them develop the necessary skills to face everyday struggles. Education is the only way to ensure that poverty does not become chronic.

Normally, individuals have to meet certain requirements in order to access existing social services. Some of the services available depending on the country are:

• Assistance in paying rent or mortgage.
• Food vouchers.
• Discounts or income – based grants for invoices.
• Financial aid for people falling below certain income limits.
• National pensions.
• Helping people find jobs.
• Training.
• Family resource planning and organization.

While money is extremely important in lifting people out of poverty, the priority should be to help individuals and families find a long-term solution to their problems. The best solution is to eventually create individualized projects with achievable goals.

In short, the goal of social services is not to create addiction, but to help create a society of free and independent people whose members are able to solve their own problems and guide their own lives.