Scroungers

Moral Panics and Media Myths

Nonfiction, Reference & Language, Education & Teaching, Higher Education, Social & Cultural Studies, Social Science, Sociology
Cover of the book Scroungers by James Morrison, Zed Books
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: James Morrison ISBN: 9781786992161
Publisher: Zed Books Publication: February 15, 2019
Imprint: Zed Books Language: English
Author: James Morrison
ISBN: 9781786992161
Publisher: Zed Books
Publication: February 15, 2019
Imprint: Zed Books
Language: English

Scroungers, spongers, parasites …

These are just are some of the terms that are typically used, with increasing frequency, to describe the most vulnerable in our society, whether they be the sick, the disabled, or the unemployed. Long a popular scapegoat for all manner of social ills, under austerity we’ve seen hostility towards benefit claimants reach new levels of hysteria, with the ‘undeserving poor’ blamed for everything from crime to even rising levels of child abuse.

While the tabloid press has played its role in fuelling this hysteria, the proliferation of social media has added a disturbing new dimension to this process, spreading and reinforcing scare stories, while normalising the perception of poverty as a form of ‘deviancy’ that runs contrary to the neoliberal agenda. Provocative and illuminating, Scroungers explores and analyses the ways in which the poor are portrayed both in print and online, placing these attitudes in a wider breakdown of social trust and community cohesion.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Scroungers, spongers, parasites …

These are just are some of the terms that are typically used, with increasing frequency, to describe the most vulnerable in our society, whether they be the sick, the disabled, or the unemployed. Long a popular scapegoat for all manner of social ills, under austerity we’ve seen hostility towards benefit claimants reach new levels of hysteria, with the ‘undeserving poor’ blamed for everything from crime to even rising levels of child abuse.

While the tabloid press has played its role in fuelling this hysteria, the proliferation of social media has added a disturbing new dimension to this process, spreading and reinforcing scare stories, while normalising the perception of poverty as a form of ‘deviancy’ that runs contrary to the neoliberal agenda. Provocative and illuminating, Scroungers explores and analyses the ways in which the poor are portrayed both in print and online, placing these attitudes in a wider breakdown of social trust and community cohesion.

More books from Zed Books

Cover of the book An Oral History of the Palestinian Nakba by James Morrison
Cover of the book Spaces of Aid by James Morrison
Cover of the book Change Everything by James Morrison
Cover of the book Africa's Development Impasse by James Morrison
Cover of the book Environment and Citizenship by James Morrison
Cover of the book Rethinking the Economics of Land and Housing by James Morrison
Cover of the book God Dies by the Nile and Other Novels by James Morrison
Cover of the book Capitalism's Last Stand? by James Morrison
Cover of the book Masculinities under Neoliberalism by James Morrison
Cover of the book Checkpoint Watch by James Morrison
Cover of the book Nigeria by James Morrison
Cover of the book Indefensible by James Morrison
Cover of the book Leadership in the Cuban Revolution by James Morrison
Cover of the book Jordan by James Morrison
Cover of the book A Liberal Peace? by James Morrison
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy