Moving in and out of in-work poverty in the UK: an analysis of transitions, trajectories and trigger events

There is growing concern about the problem of in-work poverty in the UK. Despite this, the literature on in-work poverty remains small in comparison with that on low pay and, in particular, we know relatively little about how people move in and out of in-work poverty. This paper presents an analysis of in-work poverty transitions in the UK, and extends the literature in this field in a number of identified ways. The paper finds that that in-work poverty is more transitory than poverty amongst working-age adults more generally, and that the number of workers in the household is a particularly strong predictor of in-work poverty transitions. For most, in-work poverty is a temporary phenomenon, and most exits are by exiting poverty while remaining in work. However, our study finds that respondents who experience in-work poverty were three times more likely than non-poor workers to become workless, while one-quarter of respondents in workless, poor families who gained work entered in-work poverty. These findings demonstrate the limits to which work provides a route out of poverty, and points to the importance of trying to support positive transitions while minimising negative shocks faced by working poor families

Do households prioritise children? Intrahousehold deprivation a case study of the South Pacific

We thank the Economic and Social Research Council for their funding through the Global Challenges initiative.There is increasing evidence of unequal access to resources within the household between children and adults. The literature suggests that patterns of intra-household inequality are context specific: while some find that households prioritise children (Main and Bradshaw 2016), others find that children are more likely to experience the consequences of poverty (Brown et al. 2018a). In Tonga, the high value of children, role of women in decision making and low extreme poverty rates suggest that households will prioritise children. However, the data does not match this expectation. Where possible households share resources equally. In contexts of low resources, both adults and children may be prioritised. This article builds on the methodology developed by Main and Bradshaw to provide the first analysis of intra-household inequalities between children and adults in the South Pacific. It argues that deprivation patterns are shaped both by household decisions on resource allocation and by wider access to resources. The approach used can be applied in other contexts to explore deprivation patterns and inform anti-poverty strategies. The article contributes to the growing literature on intra-household inequalities between children and adults

Pobreza infantil, privación y desigualdad intrahogar durante la recesión económica Child poverty, deprivation and intra-household inequality during the economic recession

La pobreza se mide generalmente a nivel de hogar. Sin embargo, hay evidencia creciente de que los hogares no distribuyen recursos equitativamente. Utilizando datos del módulo de privación de material en la Encuesta de Condiciones de Vida 2014, este artículo proporciona nueva evidencia sobre la desigualdad dentro del hogar en contextos de recesión económica. Los hogares se esfuerzan por proteger a los menores de los efectos de la pobreza; pero no siempre lo consiguen. La combinación de medidas de privación de adultos y menores permite identificar un subconjunto de hogares particularmente vulnerables que a menudo se ven privados de necesidades básicas. Además, una minoría sustancial de niños no puede cubrir necesidades sociales, educativas y de ocio. El artículo aboga por intervenciones políticas más ambiciosas para proteger a los hogares con menores, particularmente en situaciones de recesión económica.Poverty is usually measured at the household level; however, there is growing evidence that households do not share their resources equally. Using data from the material deprivation module in the 2014 Living Conditions Survey this article provides new insight on intra-household inequality in contexts of recession. Households strive to protect children from poverty but are not always able to do so. The combination of adult and child-specific deprivation measures permits the identification of a subset of particularly vulnerable households that are often deprived of basic needs. Additionally, a substantial minority of children do not have their social, leisure and extended educational needs covered. The article argues for more ambitious policy interventions to protect households with children, particularly in times of recession

El pes de la precarietat laboral en la pobresa laboral de les llars amb infants

A Espanya, el 70% dels infants en pobresa viuen a llars amb un o més treballadors. Malgrat que només un 27% de les llars a Espanya hi ha menors, aquestes constitueixen la majoria de les llars en pobresa laboral (53%). Tanmateix, sovint pensem en la pobresa laboral i la pobresa infantil com a problemes separats. La majoria de les anàlisis sobre la pobresa laboral a Espanya fan servir dades d'un moment en el temps i es focalitzen només en aquells que treballen en el mercat laboral. No obstant això, atès que les llars comparteixen necessitats i recursos, entendre els factors que incrementen el risc de pobresa requereix posar el focus a les llars. En aquest treball, fruit d'una investigació del Centre d'Estudis Demogràfics a la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, adoptem una perspectiva dinàmica per analitzar la interrelació entre pobresa infantil i laboral i específicament la concentració de la pobresa laboral en llars amb infants i adolescents. Utilitzant dades longitudinals de l'Enquesta de condicions de vida (2017-2020), examinem el paper que juguen factors com el naixement d'un nadó, la presència de menors a la llar i la seva edat en els processos d'empobriment. Els nostres resultats apunten que durant l'any 2020 només un 4% de les entrades a la pobresa laboral coincideixen amb un augment en el nombre de menors a la llar. En contrast, en el 37% de les entrades es reporta una disminució d'ingressos sense que disminueixi el nombre de treballadors (per exemple, per un període temporal de desocupació), i un 29% amb una reducció en la prestació d'atur. Les llars amb infants solen tenir més dificultats per sortir de la pobresa, fet que es tradueix en períodes de pobresa més prolongats. Les nostres conclusions apunten que els canvis en la situació laboral són més rellevants que els canvis en la composició de la llar per entendre la pobresa laboral i infantil. Alhora, factors de risc com la temporalitat laboral dificulten particularment la sortida de la pobresa de llars amb infants. Reduir la pobresa infantil requereix afrontar la pobresa laboral i a la inversa.In Spain, 70% of children in poverty live in households with one or more workers; equally, households with children make up the majority of households in in-work poverty (53%) despite representing only 27% of all households. However, in-work poverty and child poverty are often thought of as separate problems. Most analyses on in-work poverty in Spain use data from a single year and focus on working individuals. However, since households share needs and resources, understanding the factors that increase the risk of poverty requires studying households. In this work, carried out at the Demographic Studies Centre at the Autonomous University of Barcelona, we adopt a dynamic perspective to analyse the interrelationship between child and in-work poverty, and specifically the high in-work poverty rates in households with children and adolescents. Using longitudinal data from the Living Conditions Survey (2017-2020), we examine the role played by childbirth/ adoption, the presence of children in the household and their age in the processes of impoverishment. We find that in 2020 only 4% of households entering in-work poverty experienced an increase in the number of children and adolescents in the household. In contrast, 37% of entrants experienced a decrease in income without decreasing the number of workers (for example, due to a temporary period of unemployment), and 29% a reduction in unemployment benefit income. Households with children tend to have greater difficulties in escaping poverty, which translates into longer periods in in-work poverty. We conclude that changes in employment status are more relevant than changes in household composition for understanding child and working poverty. Additionally, the role of risk factors such as temporary employment is compounded in households with children, further reducing their poverty exit rates. Reducing child poverty requires tackling in-work poverty and vice versa.En España, el 70% de niños en pobreza viven en hogares con uno o más trabajadores; y pese a que solo un 27% de los hogares en España hay menores, los hogares con menores constituyen la mayoría de hogares en pobreza laboral (53%). No obstante, a menudo se piensa en la pobreza laboral y la pobreza infantil como problemas separados. La mayor parte de los análisis sobre la pobreza laboral en España usan datos de un momento en el tiempo y se focalizan en individuos que trabajan. Sin embargo, dado que los hogares comparten necesidades y recursos, entender los factores que incrementan el riesgo de pobreza requiere poner el foco en los hogares. En este trabajo, fruto de una investigación del Centre d'Estudis Demogràfics en la Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona, adoptamos una perspectiva dinámica para analizar la interrelación entre pobreza infantil y laboral y específicamente la concentración de la pobreza laboral en hogares con niños, niñas y adolescentes. En base a datos longitudinales de la Encuesta de Condiciones de Vida (2017-2020) examinamos el papel que juegan el nacimiento de un bebé, la presencia de menores en el hogar o su edad en los procesos de empobrecimiento. Encontramos que en 2020 sólo un 4% de las entradas en pobreza laboral coinciden con un aumento en el número de niños, niñas y adolescentes en el hogar. En contraste, en el 37% de las entradas se reporta una disminución de ingresos sin que disminuya el número de trabajadores (por ejemplo, por un periodo temporal de desempleo), y en el 29% una reducción en la prestación de desempleo. Los hogares con menores suelen tener mayores dificultades para salir de la pobreza, lo cual se traduce en periodos de pobreza más prolongados. Concluimos que los cambios en la situación laboral son más relevantes que los cambios en la composición del hogar para entender la pobreza laboral e infantil. A su vez, factores de riesgo como la temporalidad dificultan particularmente la salida de la pobreza de hogares con menores. Reducir la pobreza infantil requiere afrontar la pobreza laboral y a la inversa

The Current Landscape of Prostitution and Sex Work in England and Wales

This paper presents a comprehensive typology of the sex industry based on primary data collected between 2018 and 2019 for a UK Home Office-funded study. Typologies of the contemporary sex industry in England and Wales have tended to be limited to particular sectors or have been developed from a specific disciplinary perspective or theme (e.g. sexual health programming, income). Situated in the context of international sex industry typologies, this paper seeks to address this gap. Data was derived from an online survey, questionnaires and consultations with stakeholders including individuals currently or formerly involved in selling sex, service providers/NGOs, police, local authority representatives and others. The data was supplemented with insights from a systematic literature search. This work aims to assist with programme and policy planning in the UK context. Our methods can assist in developing typologies in other contexts

Young people's online and face-to-face experiences of interpersonal violence and abuse and its subjective impact across five European countries

Objective: This paper explores the experiences and interconnection of young people’s online and offline (face-to-face) experiences of interpersonal violence and abuse (IPVA) victimization across 5 European countries (i.e., Bulgaria, Cyprus, England, Italy and Norway) and its subjective impact. Evidence on the association between online and offline forms of IPVA in young people’s relationships remains rare and even fewer studies address the subjective impact of these experiences. To our knowledge this is the first study to address these issues within a European context. Method: As part of a wider mixed-method study, a school-based survey was completed with 4,564 young people aged 14–17 across 5 European countries. Results: The findings showed that IPVA through new technologies, especially controlling behavior and surveillance, represented a common aspect of IPVA behaviors across the 5 country samples. There was a substantial intersection between online and offline forms of IPVA. In 3 of the 5 country samples, IPVA prevalence rates were not significantly associated with gender. However, for each form of IPVA studied, the reported subjective impact was gendered: Girls reported greater negative impact than boys. Conclusion: Our research showed that youth programs aimed at preventing or responding to adolescent IPVA need to pay careful attention to how new technologies are used within young people’s relationships and the ways in which these experiences may be differentiated by gender

“Since the market is closed, there is no more money, there is nothing we can do”: Voices of adolescent girls in Burkina Faso and Sierra Leone on poverty and COVID-19

Angus Fayia Tengbeh - ORCID: 0000-0001-6482-9414 https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6482-9414The COVID-19 pandemic is expected to widen inequalities and hamper the SDG commitments of gender equality and poverty reduction. In Africa, it is feared that the social consequences of the pandemic will undo the progress in gender equality achieved over the last two decades. Through in-depth qualitative telephone interviews with 37 adolescent girls in Burkina Faso and Sierra Leone this paper sheds light on the economic consequences of the pandemic on girls. Adolescent girls' experience of the pandemic is strongly mediated by their household configuration, resources and geographical context. Our data identifies three groups: i) sheltered from the economic impact of the pandemic, ii) coping or adjusting, and iii) severely affected. We also identify a fourth group of girls, found only in Burkina Faso, whose lives have been affected by conflict and who perceive the impact of the pandemic to be minor compared to enduring violence and trauma. Our analysis shows the unequal impact of COVID-19 and the measures implemented to contain it is likely to increase economic inequality, particularly in areas with longer-lasting restrictions, as coping mechanisms erode over time. Furthermore, the pandemic is likely to accelerate marriages and the end of schooling thus increasing gender inequality. Such effects are also mediated by resources girls have access to. We argue that achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) ideals requires innovative, appropriate and sustainable solutions with the combined effort of governments and the development community that respond to the lived experiences of adolescent girls. Finally, necessary attention to the consequences of the pandemic should not detract from addressing ongoing issues affecting adolescent girls, including poverty and conflict.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2023.107232pubpu

Pornography, sexual coercion and abuse and sexting in young people’s intimate relationships: A European study

New technology has made pornography increasingly accessible to young people, and a growing evidence base has identified a relationship between viewing pornography and violent or abusive behavior in young men. This article reports findings from a large survey of 4,564 young people aged 14 to 17 in five European countries which illuminate the relationship between regular viewing of online pornography, sexual coercion and abuse and the sending and receiving of sexual images and messages, known as “sexting.” In addition to the survey, which was completed in schools, 91 interviews were undertaken with young people who had direct experience of interpersonal violence and abuse in their own relationships. Rates for regularly viewing online pornography were very much higher among boys and most had chosen to watch pornography. Boys’ perpetration of sexual coercion and abuse was significantly associated with regular viewing of online pornography. Viewing online pornography was also associated with a significantly increased probability of having sent sexual images/messages for boys in nearly all countries. In addition, boys who regularly watched online pornography were significantly more likely to hold negative gender attitudes. The qualitative interviews illustrated that, although sexting is normalized and perceived positively by most young people, it has the potential to reproduce sexist features of pornography such as control and humiliation. Sex and relationships education should aim to promote a critical understanding of pornography among young people that recognizes its abusive and gendered values

Housing, Sanitation and Living Conditions Affecting SARS-CoV-2 Prevention Interventions in 54 African Countries

We acknowledge funding from the UK Research and Innovation Global Challenge Research Fund (GCRF) (Grant Ref: ES/ T010487/1), the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Elisabeth Blackwell Institute for Health Research and the Beatriu de Pinós fellowship programme.The feasibility of non-pharmacological interventions (NPIs) such as physical distancing or isolation at home to prevent Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) transmission in low-resource countries is unknown. Household survey data from 54 African countries were used to investigate the feasibility of SARS-CoV-2 NPIs in low-resource settings. Across the 54 countries, approximately 718 million people lived in households with ≥6 individuals at home (median percentage of at-risk households 56% (95% confidence interval (CI), 51% to 60%)). Approximately 283 million people lived in households where ≥3 people slept in a single room (median percentage of at-risk households 15% (95% CI, 13% to 19%)). An estimated 890 million Africans lack on-site water (71% (95% CI, 62% to 80%)), while 700 million people lacked in-home soap/washing facilities (56% (95% CI, 42% to 73%)). The median percentage of people without a refrigerator in the home was 79% (95% CI, 67% to 88%), while 45% (95% CI, 39% to 52%) shared toilet facilites with other households. Individuals in low-resource settings have substantial obstacles to implementing NPIs for mitigating SARSCoV-2 transmission. These populations urgently need to be prioritized for COVID-19 vaccination to prevent disease and to contain the global pandemic