Excerpt: Experience of poverty cannot be disentangled from other inequalities that shape society in Scotland. Structural inequalities – including along lines of gender, race or ethnicity, disability and nationality or migration status – have intrinsic connections to economic disadvantage. These factors shape how wealth and prosperity is shared across Scotland, and how and where poverty is concentrated. Intersectionality is the idea that these different factors are not separate single issues but rather interconnected forms of injustice – creating distinct experiences of privilege and oppression.
Year Published: 2021
Date Published:05/10/2021
Author/s: IPPR
Research Link: https://www.ippr.org/blog/an-intersectional-approach-to-poverty-and-inequality-in-scotland
Methodology: Throughout this research, we drew on existing work that examines intersecting inequalities in theory and in practice, reviewed existing policy and practice, and heard from a range of experts. We spoke with experts by experience with direct experience of intersecting inequalities in Scotland, and with policy experts from across the equalities sector and academia, about how far different experiences of poverty and inequality are understood, and what needs to change to build systems and structures that work for people experiencing overlapping forms of disadvantage. All interviews were conducted mid-2020 and insights from them are included throughout this report.
Key Takeaways:
These intersections matter and have real consequences in the day-to-day lives of people in Scotland. An Asian woman may have a distinct experience of workplace discrimination, or a disabled person could face unique barriers to adequate health care, both of which could have consequences for their economic security. But most importantly, understanding the reality of inequalities in Scotland is key to building effective solutions. By understanding the interactions between the forces that drive inequality, and how they shape the multiple identities and the social positions that people hold, we will be better positioned to make progress on reducing poverty and inequality in Scotland. The importance of taking an intersectional approach to poverty is underscored by the COVID-19 crisis. As many have observed, while we may be weathering the same storm, we are not all in the same boat. Left unchecked, the pandemic is expected to deepen existing inequalities. An intersectional approach will be essential to understanding the lived experience of poverty and inequality throughout this crisis, and to inform better solutions to shape Scotland’s recovery.