The consequences of the condition of poverty in the Republic of Macedonia (Demonstrated by qualitative research)

Abstract

Poverty is a historical and class-conditioned social phenomenon. The people who are in the condition of poverty have limited resources (material, cultural, social, etc.). The long-term poverty measurements by applying the relative and subjective method have enabled identification of the basic profiles of poverty in the Republic of Macedonia. The condition of poverty directly affects the following: the material status, the social status, the bio-mental condition and the culture of living and behaviour of the people who are in that condition. The consequences of the condition of poverty are numerous; we will address the housing, nutrition, health condition, family relations, education, as well as social communication. The purpose of this work is to examine, describe and explain the consequences of the condition of poverty with the three basic groups of poor families: traditionally poor, newly impoverished households and chronically poor families by using the data from the qualitative measurements. The poor people have had difficulties adjusting to the newly emerged situation in the Republic of Macedonia. The family members have mostly tried to escape the newly emerged situation in the grey economy. Reproduction of the second generation of poor families is evident. The generalizations referred to regarding the researched problem arise from the qualitative research conducted on a sample of 60 families which were followed throughout a ten-year period.