What are the main causes of social exclusion?

Résumé du document

Shot in black and white cinema verity style, Hate (La Haine) follows a day in the life of three aimless, violence-prone, ethnically-diverse young men who hail from the same decaying housing project in Paris. Mathieu Kassovitz won the Best Director prize for this realistic movie at the Cannes Film Festival. Further than the cinematic side, La Haine aims at denouncing violence due to dismay, to precariousness. In a word, as it was shot in 1995, it illustrates the social issue that has become the keyword of the 95's presidential elections. More precisely, « social exclusion » is a dynamic process which leads to a loss of social links and of traditional marks. Furthermore, it is analysed through the notion of breaks, of dislocation. However, the strict definition of social exclusion is difficult to catch insofar as it gathers lots of dimensions, causes. Hence, it appears necessary to remind us the different origins of social exclusion in order to understand its complexity. Then, we should get the reason why sociologists speak about a multidimensional and cumulative process.

Extraits

[...] The end of the full employment society or the untimely end of a crucial link between individuals and society: the first cause of social exclusion A. The meaning of work for social integration Nowadays, work is central value whereas it was just dedicated to disadvantaged stratums during the Antiquity. Thanks to or because of rationalization of activies due to capitalism spreading, work awards today dignity, a positive image of oneself, plus an access to income and to social rights. Ignace Glorieux says there is two contrasting views on work: on the one hand, there is a materialistic conception of work (it is a necessary evil to provide one's material needs and on the other hand, work is also a means to create social cohesion and to being tied to broader society. [...]

[...] Is there a Vicious Circle of Social Exclusion? in European Socities p. 1-32 ; PAUGAM S., The spiral of precariousness: a multidimensional approach to the process of social disqualification in France in ROOM G., Beyond the threshold: the measurement and analysis of social exclusion, Bristol, Policy press ; PAUGAM S., Poverty and social disqualification: a comparative analysis of cumulative social disadvantage in Europe Journal of European social policy p.287-303 ; LITTLEWOOD P., Social exclusion in Europe: problems and paradigms, Aldershot, Ashgate ROOM G., Beyond the threshold: the measurement and analysis of social exclusion, Bristol, Policy press, 1995. [...]

[...] The fragilisation of integrator structures or the breakdown of socialization's mecanisms : causes of social isolation A. The loss of family and social links Putting the blame on unemployment as the first and unique cause of social exclusion would forget the breakdown of other integrator structures that can lead also to social isolation. Let's talk about the loss of social links that weaken emotional and financial relationships. Because of the increasing in atypical family structures such as divorces, monoparental families. [...]

[...] Employers don't trust them because of their lack of experience or because of their origins. Those groups suffer from insecurity, precariousness and have to cope with machism, racism and rebuttal. Excepted single parent families, unmarried person, chilhood marked by poverty, women, migrant workers, young and disabled people are the sections of the population most exposed to social exclusion. Thus, sociocultural background could represent a serious handicap to social integration. B. The limitations of welfare : dependence and kinky effects Furthermore, the fight against social exclusion is less than shapeless. [...]

[...] It stigmatizes more than it saves. Conclusion As we have seen, a loss of employment is likely to start the process of decline, launching the downward spiral of disadvantages. Then, it is more difficult for people to participate in social activities and the lack of ressources, combined with the stigmatizing effect of unemployment, leads to a fracturing people's social ties and growing social isolation. Moreover, tension over finances may increase conflict in the household and precipitate the dissolution of partnerships while dependence on welfare benefits weaken chances of entering socialising spheres. [...]