Lesson video

Hello, my name's Mrs. Rawbone, and I'd like to welcome you to this RE lesson today on the responsibility of those in poverty to overcome difficulties.

Following today's lesson, you will be able to explain Christian and other views on the responsibilities of people living in poverty.

Some keywords we'll be using today are barriers, responsibility, and social mobility.

Now, barriers are social, economic, or structural obstacles that prevent individuals from having equal opportunities to succeed or live a life they value.

Responsibility is the duty or obligation to act in a way that considers the impact on others, and to take ownership for helping or doing what is right in a given situation.

Social mobility is the ability of individuals or families to move up or down the social or economic ladder.

Our lesson today will form three parts.

We'll be looking at social mobility, responsibility, and Christian views.

So let's get started on social mobility.

The term social mobility has Latin origins.

The word social comes from socius, meaning companion, and this is related to how people live and interact in groups.

Mobility comes from mobilis, meaning movable, related to movement or change.

So social mobility literally means movement within society.

It can be understood as the ability of individuals or families to move up or down the social or economic ladder.

Let's check your understanding.

What is social mobility? Take a moment, pause if you need to, and then come back when you're ready to check your answer.

So well done if you talked about the ability of individuals or families to move up or down the social economic ladder.

There are many personal and structural barriers to social mobility, so things that prevent people from moving up or down that social or economic ladder.

Low wages.

Even working full-time, some people struggle to afford their basic needs.

Lack of education.

This can limit someone's job opportunities and trap them in a low income job.

Health issues and disability.

This can prevent someone from securing work or stable employment.

And discrimination.

Someone's gender, race, or class can impact on their economic mobility.

Let's check your understanding again.

Which one of the following is not a structural barrier to overcoming poverty? A, low motivation, B, lack of access to quality education, C, health issues or disability, or D, discrimination based on gender or race? Take a moment to jot down your answer, pause if you need to, and then come back when you're ready to move on.

So well done if you chose low motivation.

This is not a structural barrier.

Sometimes people manage to overcome barriers to social mobility.

Oprah Winfrey is a good example of this.

She grew up in poverty, faced abuse and discrimination, but became one of the most successful and influential figures in television.

Alan Sugar is also a good example of this.

He came from a working class background with few resources, but became a highly successful businessman.

Sometimes people living in poverty have less social mobility because they face more structural or personal barriers than others.

So people with less social mobility might be people in poverty facing major barriers, such as illness or discrimination.

Those in poverty who have more social mobility may face barriers but have some opportunities to overcome them, for example, a basic education.

Let's check your understanding again.

Who is most likely to face major structural barriers to social mobility? A, Amina who grew up living in poverty but had access to education and student loans, B, James who had a private education and financial support from his parents, or C, Mia, who had caring responsibilities, poor schooling and unstable housing? Jot down your answer, pause if you need to, and then come back when you're ready to move on.

So well done if you put C, Mia who had caring responsibilities, poor schooling, and unstable housing.

There's a lot of major structural barriers there to her having social mobility.

For task A on social mobility, I'd like you to answer the following questions.

Why might some people have more social mobility than others? I'd like you to choose two barriers to social mobility, for example, low wages, discrimination, poor health, and for each one explain how it can limit a person's chances of improving their life.

And finally, I'd like you to look at what factors might increase someone's social mobility.

Give two examples and explain how they help.

So take your time, pause the video, think carefully about what we've been learning, and come back when you're ready to see how what you've written compares with what I've written.

So you could have said for one, some people have more social mobility than others because they have better access to education, support or job opportunities, while others face barriers that limit their chances.

For two, two barriers to social mobility are discrimination and low wages.

Discrimination can stop people from getting jobs or promotions, even if they're qualified.

Low wages make it hard to save money, invest in education or move to areas with better opportunities.

Two factors which can increase someone's social mobility are access to a good education and free healthcare.

Access to a good education helps people get better jobs, and free healthcare helps people stay healthy enough to work and study.

So you might have chosen different barriers and different factors, but well done if you've got across an understanding of what social mobility means, and what barriers and what opportunities there might be for people who struggle with it.

For the second part of our lesson, we're going to be moving on to responsibility.

There are different views on who has the responsibility to overcome those barriers faced by people living in poverty.

Jacob says, "I think it's the wealthy who have the most responsibility for helping people living in poverty to overcome any barriers they face.

People living in poverty can only overcome barriers if they have the opportunity to do so." So what might have influenced Jacob to think like this? Why might someone distribute responsibility in this way, saying that the wealthy have more? Pause the video, turn and talk to someone nearby if you can, or you can talk to me and then come back when you're ready to move on.

The Capability Approach, developed by the philosophers Amartya Sen and Martha Nussbaum is about giving people the capability to live a life they value.

Everyone has a responsibility to overcome the barriers faced by people living in poverty.

Wealthy people and governments have a duty to remove barriers that limit social mobility for people living in poverty.

And once basic freedoms and opportunities are in place, individuals have the capability to make responsible choices and work towards their goals.

Jacob is talking to Faye, who's an atheist and who studied philosophy, politics and economics at university.

Jacob says, "Faye, what do you think about the idea that wealthy people have the most responsibility to try to remove the barriers faced by people living in poverty?" Faye says, "From a moral point of view, people with more resources are in the best position to make a difference.

I think the capability approach explains it well.

If we want everyone to have real freedom and opportunity, those with the most power and privilege should take the lead in removing structural barriers." So what reason does Faye give to support her view? Pause the video, have a think, turn and talk to someone nearby if you can, and then come back when you're ready to move on in the lesson.

Jacob continues, "Does this mean you support charities that help people living in poverty?" Faye says, "Yes, I think I have a responsibility to.

One charity I support is Lendwithcare because they help remove barriers and build real opportunities.

When someone gets a small loan to start a business, they gain the chance to become independent, support their family and make choices about their future." So what does Faye like about Lendwithcare? Pause again, turn and talk to someone nearby, and come back when you're ready to move on.

True or false, the Capability Approach is about helping people gain real opportunities to live the kind of life they value.

Take a moment to think about your answer, but also to think about why.

Pause if you need to, and then come back when you're ready to check.

So well done if you put true.

But why is this true? It's true because the Capability Approach focuses on increasing people's capabilities, meaning their opportunities to do and be what they value.

It's about removing the barriers faced by people living in poverty.

There are different views on who has a responsibility to overcome barriers faced by people living in poverty.

We heard Jacob put across one point before that he agreed with it, but now he says, "Some people would disagree with me and say that wealthy people are not responsible for removing barriers for people living in poverty.

Instead, it is the people living in poverty who are responsible for overcoming any barriers they face." So what might have influenced someone to distribute responsibility in this way, and to say that actually the wealthy are not responsible for removing those barriers? Pause the video, take some time to think and to talk to someone nearby or talk to me, and then come back when you're ready to move on.

Jacob is talking to Faye, who is an atheist and who studied philosophy, politics and economics at university.

He says, "Faye, why do some people think that wealthy people have no responsibility to try to remove the barriers faced by people living in poverty?" Faye says, "That sounds like a libertarian view, which differs from the view I hold.

Libertarians believe if you earned your wealth fairly, you shouldn't be forced to help others.

For them, what's important is personal freedom and individual, not collective responsibility." So what does Faye suggest matters most to people that have this view? Pause again, turn and talk to somebody nearby, or you can think, or you can talk to me, and then come back when you're ready to move on.

Jacob continues, "Does this mean that a libertarian wouldn't support charities such as Lendwithcare that help people living in poverty?" Faye says, "Not quite.

A libertarian might choose to support charities like Lendwithcare, but they don't believe they have a responsibility to, because giving should be voluntary.

They might support Lendwithcare because it isn't about giving money away, but it helps people to help themselves." So why is it a mistake to say people with a libertarian view would never give to charity? Pause the video, think carefully about what Faye has said.

Reread what's on the screen and come back when you are ready to move on.

Libertarianism, supported by the philosopher Robert Nozick, is a political view that values personal freedom and minimal government.

Individuals living in poverty are expected to overcome barriers themselves.

Wealthy people do not have a duty to support others, as long as they gain their wealth fairly.

The government's role should be limited to protecting individual rights, not fixing inequality or redistributing resources.

So let's check your understanding of this.

What do libertarians believe about wealth and helping others? Is it A, everyone has a responsibility to share their wealth, B, the government should decide how much the rich give to people living in poverty, C, people should only help others if they choose to, especially if they earn their wealth fairly, or D, wealth should be taken from the rich and given to those in need by law? Pause if you need to.

Come back when you're ready to check your answer.

So well done if you put C, people should only help others if they choose to, especially if they earn their wealth fairly.

For task B on responsibility, I want you to think about these three individuals who live in the same city.

Sarah is a single mom who has two jobs, but still struggles to afford childcare and rent.

Jamal owns several businesses and has more money than he could ever spend.

Liam grew up in a tough neighbourhood and dropped out of school.

He wants to go back into education, but he can't afford the course or the transport.

I'd like you to answer these questions.

According to the Capability Approach, who has the most responsibility to overcome the barriers faced by people living in poverty and why? So you're choosing from our three individuals.

And number two, according to libertarianism, what is Jamal's responsibility in this situation and why? So take your time to think back over those two approaches.

Pause the video, write your answers, and then come back when you're ready to see what you could have said.

You could have said the Capability Approach says that wealthy people should help remove the barriers that stop others from living the life they want.

So Jamal has the most responsibility.

Sarah and Liam can't improve their lives because of things they can't control.

And for number two, libertarians would say Jamal doesn't have to help at all unless he wants to.

They think that if he earned his money fairly, no one should force him to give it away.

It's all about personal freedom and choice.

Even if Sarah and Liam are struggling, libertarians believe it's up to them to fix their own problems. So well done if you managed to get those answers right.

The first one is the Capability Approach, and that would mean that Jamal has responsibility, and the second one is that libertarians would say that he does not.

For the third part of our lesson, we're going to be looking at Christian views.

Christians reflect on questions about whether people living in poverty have a responsibility to overcome barriers by consulting sources of authority, including the Bible, church teachings, church leaders and fellow Christians, Christian ethical theories, such as Natural Law and situation ethics.

They might also use their conscience and apply reason, which they see as God-given gifts.

They may interpret the sources differently or emphasise one more than another.

Bible teachings influence Christian views on who has a responsibility to remove barriers for people living in poverty.

Psalm 82:3 says, "Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed." Niamh says to us, "This verse reminds us to uphold the cause of people living in poverty.

As a Catholic, this reflects the church's teaching on the preferential option for the poor.

The Catechism, paragraph 2,448, teaches that caring for people living in poverty is a responsibility rooted in Christ's own mission." "But a Samaritan, as he travelled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him.

He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine." This is from Luke 10:33-34.

Louise says, "The Parable of the Good Samaritan," which is where those verses come from, "shows what it means to love our neighbour through action.

The Methodist Church's Five Priorities for Justice highlight the importance of tackling inequality, poverty, and injustice, calling us to respond to those in need, just like the Samaritan." "If a man will not work, he shall not eat," 2 Thessalonians 3:10.

Niamh says, "I believe this verse highlights the importance of personal responsibility and the dignity of work.

Catholic teaching in Laborem Exercens says work is a way we share in God's creation and express our human dignity." "For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance.

Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them." Matthew 25:29.

Louise says, "This verse from the Parable of the Talents challenges us to use the gifts God has given us for good.

Even in poverty, we're called to make the most of whatever opportunities we have.

John Wesley taught the importance of personal responsibility as well as justice." So which biblical teaching could be used to argue that people living in poverty should make the most of whatever opportunities they have? We have A, "uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed," Psalm 82:3.

B, the Parable of the Good Samaritan.

C, "If a man will not work, he shall not eat, 2 Thessalonians 3:10.

Or D, the Parable of the Talents? Take a moment to think back over those four teachings, jot down your answer, come back when you're ready to check.

So well done if you put D, the Parable of the Talents.

This was the story where the servant had been given a talent which was an amount of money by his master and he just buried it.

He didn't do anything with it.

Lucas is asking Louise and Niamh about how Christians can support people living in poverty.

Lucas says, "Most Christians agree that the wealthy should help remove barriers for people living in poverty.

How can Christians do that in real life?" Niamh says, "One way is through supporting organisations like The Trussell Trust and The Salvation Army.

They help in many ways, including with food, housing, debts, and employment support." Louise says, "Christians also support groups like Christian Aid and Tearfund, who work to change things on a bigger scale, especially in lower income countries." Lucas goes on, "Christians also think that people living in poverty have a responsibility to help themselves.

How does supporting charities like the Trussell Trust and Christian Aid reflect this?" Niamh replies, "The Trussell Trust and The Salvation Army help people improve their own lives.

They give support such as training and financial advice." Louise says, "Christian Aid and Tearfund help people around the world become more self-reliant.

An example of this is that they support small business through microloans." So why might someone argue that giving people living in poverty opportunities is better than giving them handouts? Think about what we've been learning today.

Pause the video, have a discussion if you can with someone nearby, or you can think to yourself, or you can talk to me and then come back when you're ready to move on.

Give one example of how Christians might help people living in poverty overcome barriers.

So take your time, have a think about one example, jot it down and come back when you're ready to check.

So you could have said any one of the following: supporting the Trussell Trust to provide food and money advice.

Donating to the Salvation Army to help with housing or recovery.

Giving to Christian Aid to support small businesses in poor communities.

Supporting Tearfund to help build clean water systems. Helping charities that offer job skills and long-term solutions.

So well done if you managed to put one of those examples.

For task C on Christian views, Jun has written part of an answer to this evaluation question using non-religious arguments to support the statement.

People living in poverty have a responsibility to overcome barriers.

Evaluate this statement.

In your answer, you should give reasoned arguments in support of this statement.

Should give reasoned arguments to support a different point of view.

Should refer to religious arguments.

May refer to non-religious arguments.

Should reach a justified conclusion.

Continue by writing a paragraph using religious arguments to support a different point of view.

So Jun's just worked on part of the question, and you're going to continue by also working on part of the question.

Let's have a look at what Jun has written.

"Some people argue that individuals living in poverty have a responsibility to overcome the barriers they face.

For example, libertarians believe that people are responsible for their own lives and should work hard to improve their situation, rather than relying on others or the government.

They argue that if support is available, like educational training, it's up to the individual to make the most of those opportunities." So your task is to continue by writing a paragraph supporting a different point of view, and you're also going to use religious arguments.

So take your time to think through what we've learned today.

Pause the video, and when you're ready to check your paragraph, come back to the lesson.

Let's have a look at what you could have written.

You could have said, "Many Christians believe that people living in poverty needs support to overcome barriers." Psalm 82:3 says, "Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed," showing a clear biblical call to help those in need.

Church teachings show that caring for the poor is a core part of Christian faith.

For example, the Methodist Church teaches that God has a special concern for the poor and calls Christians to challenge injustice and support the vulnerable.

This belief is reflected in the work of charities like Tearfund, The Salvation Army, and The Trussell Trust, which provide food, shelter, and long-term support for those facing poverty.

So well done if you've managed to put in some religious points here from a Christian point of view, using examples maybe of what churches say, of what individual Christians do, what charities they might support, and also of biblical teachings.

In today's lesson, we have learned that social mobility means the ability to move up or down the social and economic ladder.

It's affected by both personal and structural barriers.

We've learned there are different views on who is responsible for overcoming poverty.

The Capability Approach sees it as a shared responsibility, while libertarianism focuses on the individual.

Some biblical teachings highlight the duty to help the poor, while others stress personal responsibility.

Common barriers to social mobility include low pay, discrimination, lack of education, and health issues.

Many Christians support charities like the Trussell Trust and Christian Aid to help people in poverty overcome these challenges.

So well done on working with me today through this challenging lesson.

Thank you.