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Original poster

What is ‘deprivation’

257 replies

0None0 · 15/07/2021 10:29

It’s such a common term. I have my own idea what it means, but would like to hear other ideas. A lot of people and situations described as ‘deprived’ I would not consider to be deprived

OP posts:
BlackeyedSusan · 15/07/2021 14:52

disability of parents...

I can no longer do the extra curricluars as I am getting more disabled.

rely on carers allowance,
we do not have working central heating
we do not have enough bedrooms for the people in the flat
we did isolation without access to outdoor space. (when a contact)
we did lockdown in the inner city with the local park where someone has been murdered, someone has been seriously assaulted, there is no room for football. and the play equipment is for younger kids.
they have access to a concreted yard at their dad's and a shared garden where games have been banned.
one could not work at home as they are autistic and do not do homework or study at home
one was working on a phone screen. with intermittent internet access as the work and his bloody wife were all trying to get on the internet
one was tryiung to work in a bedroom on a bed. we have no communal areas that are not bedrooms. (they have a bedroom each and I sleep in the living room. ) the living room is where we eat, work, dry washing, play, exercise, craft, and sleep, ds games to keep him calm.
single parent family, dv, stuck financially as ex will not divorce (so can not move)

just keeping on top of two children with disabilites with two of my own disabilities means there is no time for anything extra.

Lemonmelonsun · 15/07/2021 14:53

Pointy, you do realise labour admitted they failed on thier big child poverty reduction pledge?

Eviebeans · 15/07/2021 14:54

I don't know if it's because most of the other children are in a similar position

sempiternal · 15/07/2021 14:57

When I was in college- so about 15 years ago- we were taught about relative and absolute poverty. The same would apply to deprivation. We were told that a child with no internet access and device to use the internet is living in relative poverty. That's certainly relevant since last March with so many needing to access lessons from home. I think it's important to remember that it's not just about being able to afford the absolute basics. Children need more than that.

Eviebeans · 15/07/2021 14:57

Agree with JustLyra re children having friends round to play and being invited back...

Cowbells · 15/07/2021 14:58

0None0. You can lack access to education if your family home doesn't have internet or a TV or any books, a printer or paper. Homework is set with the assumption that pupils can look up info online or print stuff out.

Deprivation to me means inadequate
housing
clothing
utilities
food
social opportunities
work opportunities
educational opportunities

LittleTiger007 · 15/07/2021 14:59

@Youdiditanyway

Lack of anything that leads to a healthy, fulfilling and happy life really. Food, cleanliness, love, support, care, education, warmth, sanitary products etc. Anyone without the above is deprived.
Exactly.

As a teacher I have had to provide a warm jumper in the winter to children who never have one (let alone a coat). I have provided food regularly to children who come to school hungry. But in th UK we have no concept. Take a look at half the world right now: children in Pakistan combing landfill for a scrap of mouldy food, children in South Africa witnessing the burning and looting in KZN. Etc etc.

Eviebeans · 15/07/2021 15:01

Children need the basics on a consistent basis (no child should be aware of having no credit on gas card, for example). In my head basics are heat, warmth, hot water, plenty of food, appropriate clothing and footwear. A safe space to play. Toys. Then other things that others around you might have. Other things that add value to your life.

LIZS · 15/07/2021 15:09

Also poor engagement with services such as healthcare and education. Our local area of deprivation has high incidence of alcohol and substance abuse, depression and mental health issues. Parents/grandparents with low levels of formal education, aspiration and employability, passing that expectation on to their children.

FAQs · 15/07/2021 15:11

I think it’s probably mostly not having a safe stable secure home. Children in damp housing, children in homes vulnerable to burglary and vandalism, children living in a home with an abuser, children in temporary accommodation, moved frequently, or with parents that move in and out with a different partner regularly.

This is what I have come to feel is the worst deprivation among children.

No safe secure stable home

And it has surprisingly little to do with income. Families can be earning well and still be homeless.

And I have over the years become more and more aware of bullying between siblings. Some children are not physically or mentally safe in Their own homes because of this.

And that can be wealthy privately educated children too

The longer I teach, the less I think deprivation is connected to income. It is far more connected to the type of home you are in. You can be very poor on a council estate. Not enough money for 3 meals a day. No hearing, no hot water, no washing machine. ( I raised children like this). That is not deprecation though. If your home is safe and secure

@0None0 ^^ seriously you’ve only just worked this out!

Honestly it’s noble you want to campaign however you’ll struggle to connect on the same level and risk coming across as patronising, and dare I say a champagne socialist who hasn’t got a clue what it’s like to grow up in that environment, direct it at the Gov for sure, however I think you’ll be talking from stats and not any type of reality, I can’t believe as a teacher this has only just occurred to you.

SimonJT · 15/07/2021 15:28

What do you mean by not having access to education? Everyone in the uk has access to education

A significant number of SEND children are denied an education in the UK.

pointythings · 15/07/2021 15:31

@Lemonmelonsun

Pointy, you do realise labour admitted they failed on thier big child poverty reduction pledge?
Of course. But we have had a Tory or Tory-led government for 10 years and nothing they have done has made it better. Now between COVID and Brexit, they're going to make it worse. Let's look at the government we have instead of indulging in whataboutery regarding past governments, shall we?
Peachee · 15/07/2021 15:32

Whatever you do.. do not go into politics.

TeenMinusTests · 15/07/2021 15:41

I feel as if Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs is relevant here somewhere.

EBearhug · 15/07/2021 15:45

But most children live within walking distance of school in the cities, so that irrelevant

What about all those living in rural areas? Don't they count? School transport provision and the lack of it or cost of it is a massive issue.

roguetomato · 15/07/2021 15:47

@Peachee

Whatever you do.. do not go into politics.
Agree. You will just be another politician who is detached from the reality.
Sn0tnose · 15/07/2021 15:56

I maybe want to be spending some time in politics and campaigning

You don’t understand why children may be unable to access education. You think that teens not doing so is a choice. You believe that schools provide coats, shoes, cooking ingredients and sanitary products. You don’t think that children need three meals a day. You believe that being warm and having hot water to wash in are luxuries. I haven’t advance searched you but it sounds like you’ve made some pretty unpleasant comments about people attending certain universities. And you’re feeling like you’ve been ‘suckered’ into believing the reasons behind deprivation.

I’m curious about what you think you’d be able to contribute to society?

Arsebucket · 15/07/2021 15:58

@Sn0tnose

I maybe want to be spending some time in politics and campaigning

You don’t understand why children may be unable to access education. You think that teens not doing so is a choice. You believe that schools provide coats, shoes, cooking ingredients and sanitary products. You don’t think that children need three meals a day. You believe that being warm and having hot water to wash in are luxuries. I haven’t advance searched you but it sounds like you’ve made some pretty unpleasant comments about people attending certain universities. And you’re feeling like you’ve been ‘suckered’ into believing the reasons behind deprivation.

I’m curious about what you think you’d be able to contribute to society?

Well, there’s always the conservatives…
LIZS · 15/07/2021 16:07

You are coming across as rather naive. What about the vulnerable and those with disabilities, with limited access or means to use public transport to get to gp or hospital appointments, Job centre, school/college, support groups, supermarkets. Unpaid and young carers who cannot leave those they care for alone for any length of time with no respite or support. Inappropriate or substandard housing.

3beesinmybonnet · 15/07/2021 16:11

@0None0
For a while years ago I lived a few doors down from a boy of 12. The local school was just down the road but he never went. He was too busy looking after his alcoholic mother's two youngest children, a preschooler and a baby. Social Services knew about it but didn't intervene as they didn't want the 3 younger siblings to follow their 3 older siblings into care. He not only missed his education but also the social aspect. In theory I suppose he could've just decided to go to school every day but in practice that would mean leaving his younger siblings alone with an alcoholic who'd already had 3 kids taken into care. So I suppose you could say he 'decided' not to go to school, but it wasn't much of a choice for a 12 year old was it?

Nonmaquillee · 15/07/2021 16:19

I’ve stopped reading the OP’s comments when she says that “you can have a perfectly good home without heating or hot water”.

I would consider such a home neglectful and as such deprived. I hope you are not hoping to go into campaign work on the back of this belief.

Original poster
0None0 · 15/07/2021 16:36

@Nonmaquillee

I’ve stopped reading the OP’s comments when she says that “you can have a perfectly good home without heating or hot water”.

I would consider such a home neglectful and as such deprived. I hope you are not hoping to go into campaign work on the back of this belief.

Well that’s silly. What percentage of the worlds population do you believe has heating and hot water ? It’s a small privileged minority
OP posts:
Original poster
0None0 · 15/07/2021 16:37

@EBearhug

But most children live within walking distance of school in the cities, so that irrelevant

What about all those living in rural areas? Don't they count? School transport provision and the lack of it or cost of it is a massive issue.

As I said. I am talking about cities
OP posts:
TopBitchoftheWitches · 15/07/2021 16:41

Parent not eating so children can. Daily.

LIZS · 15/07/2021 16:46

Ongoing use of food banks for basics