Learning Objectives:
By the end of this lesson you should be able to:
Identify what is meant by the term 'inequality gap'.
Describe some of the locations where the inequality gap forces individuals to make a living off the trash thrown away by the wealthy in society.
Assess the need for global resources to be directed towards changing this situation.
There are huge variations in the spatial distribution of wellbeing throughout the globe. To kick us off on this section of the syllabus, we will watch this excellent 2018 documentary that gives us a rare insight into the daily working lives of two men living in poverty, both making a living through trash, one in Kenya and the other in the United States. It’s a really useful resource for gaining an insight into what the lived experience of poverty is like in these two very different countries, and for highlighting the extent of global inequalities.
Both men live in countries where the gap between rich and poor is vast. But the social gap between the US and Kenya is also huge. Economists Lucas Chancel and Kate Raworth warn against the consequences of a huge imbalance at both the national and international levels. They believe it poses a great danger to our entire system of values in the West, to our understanding of democracy and, ultimately, to our economy.
Copy down the following:
The term "inequality gap" refers to the difference in access to resources, opportunities, or outcomes between different groups or individuals within a society. This gap often highlights disparities in areas such as:
Income: The difference between the wealthiest and the poorest individuals.
Education: Variations in access to quality education between groups.
Health: Differences in access to healthcare or health outcomes.
Living Conditions: Inequalities in housing, infrastructure, or access to basic services like water and electricity.
The inequality gap often reflects social, economic, or systemic imbalances that perpetuate disadvantages for certain groups, typically based on factors like race, gender, socioeconomic status, or geographic location.
Task
Watch the documentary.
Then, answer the following questions in your books using full sentences.
Discussion Questions
Why do you think the video focuses on trash as a means of exploring inequality?
In your opinion, have these two men found an effective solution (sorting and selling trash) to lift themselves out of poverty?
Should our global resources (money, clothing, medicine, aid) be used to help the poor?
What is needed to lift people out of poverty according to the people in the video?
Google the following: '2014, Pierre Simmons - speech about poverty' - what did you find out?
Link to video: https://youtu.be/G_e7eFSkEjw