What Are the Main Differences Between the “Moral Underclass”, “Redistributionist”, and “Social Integration” Discourses?

What are the main differences between the “moral underclass”, “redistributionist”, and “social integration” discourses? Explain by referring to the example of lone parenthood or youth unemployment.

When addressing social problems (and the inherent ‘social exclusion’ that is often attached to them), how we think about the problem will influence how it will be defined and what we believe the solutions to be. There are three discourses that differ in these ways – “moral underclass” (MUD), “redistributionist” (RED), and “social integration” (SID). The discourses differ in how they define what makes a person an insider or an outsider, as well as how inclusion might be created (Levitas, 2005, p.7). Whilst the redistributionist and social integration discourses share some similarities in their objective understanding of social problems, the moral underclass discourse is wholly different, by focusing somewhat subjectively on the actions of the individual. The ways in which these discourses apply their ideologies to lone parenthood in the United Kingdom will be considered in this essay, and the main differences between them will be identified and discussed.

The moral underclass discourse is the most individually blaming for the ‘social problem’ of lone parenthood, as it declares that it is a result of behavioural factors that are a reflection of the careless character of the individual. The discourse identifies lone parents as ‘incompetent’ because they are unprepared to take available jobs, thereby wilfully refusing to do what is in their own, and their children’s, best interests (Mead 1986; 1997, cited in Millar, 2000). Murray (1990, cited in Lister, 1996) speaks of these individuals who ‘contaminate’ the life of entire neighbourhoods, as they provide a negative role model for children who will then imitate the same irresponsible behaviour. Furthermore, Murray (cited in Lister, 1996, p.41) suggests that lone parenthood, according to the moral underclass discourse,...