This article presents a theoretical examination of the digital divide, tracing its origins in the centre–Left social inclusion policy agenda of the 1980s and 1990s to its current status of political ‘hot topic’. It then moves on to outline four conceptual limitations to conventional dichotomous notions of the digital divide and individuals’ ‘access’ to information and communications technology (ICT): what is meant by ICT; what is meant by ‘access’; the relationship between ‘access to ICT’ and ‘use of ICT’; and a lack of consideration of the consequences of engagement with ICT. The article outlines a more sophisticated, hierarchical model of the digital divide based around these conceptual ‘stages’ while recognizing the mediating role of economic, cultural and social forms of capital in shaping individuals’ engagements with ICT. It concludes by developing a set of research themes and questions for future examination of inequalities in individuals’ use of ICT.

Reconsidering Political and Popular Understandings of the Digital Divide

Poor people, poor places, and poor health: the mediating role of social networks and social capital

The purpose of this project was to review existing sources on multi-dimensional disadvantage or severe forms of social exclusion characterised as ‘deep exclusion’; to recommend possibilities for secondary analysis of existing data sets to explore the dynamics of ‘deep exclusion’; to identify any relevant gaps in the knowledge base; and to recommend research strategies for filling such gaps.

/pdf/the-multi-dimensional-analysis-of-social-exclusion-1t3hyjt5e0.pdf

The Multi-dimensional Analysis of Social Exclusion

This qualitative study examines meanings and experiences of ageism for older Australians. While the concept is widely applied in academic social analysis, the term is not understood or used by many of the informants. They talk freely, however, about negative experiences in ‘being seen as old’ and ‘being treated as old’. Active ageing is viewed as a positive way of presenting and interpreting oneself as separate from the ‘old’ group. Informants recognise that older people as a group experience negative treatment in terms of poor access to transport and housing, low incomes, forced retirement and inadequate nursing home care. While few have experienced overt or brutal ageism, interaction in everyday life involves some negative treatment, occasional positive ‘sageism’, and others ‘keeping watch’ for one’s vulnerabilities. Health professionals are a major source of ageist treatment. Some older people limit their lives by accommodating ageism, while others actively negotiate new images of ageing for themselves and those who will be old in the future.

https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/0F607565509B9999B82B3A0FF4F8AADE/S0144686X99007710a.pdf/div-class-title-perceptions-and-consequences-of-ageism-views-of-older-people-div.pdf

Perceptions and consequences of ageism: views of older people

The emphasis on public participation in contemporary policy discourse has prompted the development of a wide range of forums within which dialogue takes place between citizens and officials. Often such initiatives are intended to contribute to objectives relating to social exclusion and democratic renewal. The question of 'who takes part' within such forums is, then, critical to an understanding of how far new types of forums can contribute to the delivery of such objectives. This article draws on early findings of research conducted as part of the ESRC Democracy and Participation Programme. It addresses three questions: 'How do public bodies define or constitute the public that they wish to engage in dialogue?'; 'What notions of representation or representativeness do participants and public officials bring to the idea of legitimate membership of such forums?'; and 'How do deliberative forums contribute to, or help ameliorate, processes of social inclusion and exclusion?'

Constituting ‘the public’ in public participation

Britain divided : the growth of social exclusion in the 1980s and 1990s

The Growing Divide: A Social Audit, 1979-1987

This paper discusses the new phenomenon of the survival into old age of the increasing numbers of people with learning difficulties. This raises both theoretical and practical policy issues. In the UK health and social services for older people and for people with learning difficulties have followed quite different paths. One has been based on a limited, age discriminatory view of 'normal' ageing; the other has focused on a potentially liberating concept of normalisation. This distinction is being challenged by the advent of older people with learning difficulties, which is raising questions such as, what is the meaning of normalisation in older age? We focus on this key question, illustrating the different principles behind service provision for these two groups and argue that the concept of normalisation is flawed when applied to older people. The alternative of social integration is proposed as the basis for organising health and social services for both older people and those with learning di...

Normalisation and 'Normal' Ageing: The social construction of dependency among older people with learning difficulties

This book celebrates the life and work of Peter Townsend. It builds on the foundations that he laid in various fields and applies his myriad insights to contemporary policy debates. The book reflects Peter's triple contributions to teaching, research and campaigning, which were all, in essence, concerned with combating poverty, inequality and social injustice. It comprises a rallying call to defeat these evils and to create a better, more cohesive society. It is also a reminder of why there is a welfare state and why the case for it must be repeated constantly alongside critiques of its failings and constructive proposals for improvement.

Fighting poverty, inequality and injustice: a manifesto inspired by Peter Townsend

So wrote Roy Bailey in 1988. While few in social work would disagree with this statement in principle, in practice it is all too easy for the context within which social workers, and other professionals, work to be overlooked in the pressures of their everyday lives. In particular, it is too easy for social workers, the majority of whose service users are poor (Becker and MacPherson, 1986), to focus on the differing abilities of individuals to manage and cope within the constraints of their personal circumstances rather than to compare their circumstances with those enjoyed by the wider population.

Social policy and social work

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