Part 7/11:
Despite their intended purpose, the workhouses became synonymous with shame and desperation, instilling a fear of seeking out public assistance that persists to this day. The stigma attached to dependence on aid contributed to further erosion of trust in social support systems, influencing public policy and attitudes toward the poor.
Philosophical Perspectives and Economic Theories
The visibility of poverty prompted reflection from early sociologists and economists. Studies indicated that many among London's impoverished were women, often widowed with children, striving to perform small jobs when they could. Yet, prevailing theories failed to aptly address the actual root causes of poverty, misplacing blame on the poor themselves.