CMY2602
Assignment 1
Unique No:747704
DUE 2025
, Question 1: Analyse and Discuss the Relationship Between Socioeconomic
Factors and Relative Deprivation in South Africa
Introduction
South Africa remains one of the most unequal countries globally, marked by sharp
contrasts in wealth, educational attainment, and living standards. These disparities are
not just reflected in statistics—they are experienced daily by individuals and
communities who measure their circumstances against those of others. This
comparative sense of disadvantage, known as relative deprivation, is shaped and
intensified by socioeconomic factors such as unemployment, income inequality, limited
access to quality education, and inadequate housing. Exploring this relationship is
essential to understanding the underlying causes of crime, protest action, and broader
social unrest in the country.
Definition of Key Concepts
Socioeconomic factors refer to the social and economic conditions that shape an
individual’s quality of life. These include access to jobs, income levels, educational
opportunities, healthcare, and housing (Seekings & Nattrass, 2020).
Relative deprivation describes the sense of dissatisfaction individuals feel when they
believe they are worse off compared to others, regardless of whether their basic needs
are met (Runciman, 1966). Unlike poverty, which focuses on the absence of resources,
relative deprivation centres on perceived inequality, which can exist even in situations
where living conditions are above subsistence level.
Analysis of the Relationship
High unemployment is a key driver of relative deprivation in South Africa. As of 2024,
the national unemployment rate was above 32% (Stats SA, 2024). Being without work
not only limits income but also affects self-esteem and social identity. Comparisons
between jobless individuals and their employed peers often lead to feelings of injustice,
Assignment 1
Unique No:747704
DUE 2025
, Question 1: Analyse and Discuss the Relationship Between Socioeconomic
Factors and Relative Deprivation in South Africa
Introduction
South Africa remains one of the most unequal countries globally, marked by sharp
contrasts in wealth, educational attainment, and living standards. These disparities are
not just reflected in statistics—they are experienced daily by individuals and
communities who measure their circumstances against those of others. This
comparative sense of disadvantage, known as relative deprivation, is shaped and
intensified by socioeconomic factors such as unemployment, income inequality, limited
access to quality education, and inadequate housing. Exploring this relationship is
essential to understanding the underlying causes of crime, protest action, and broader
social unrest in the country.
Definition of Key Concepts
Socioeconomic factors refer to the social and economic conditions that shape an
individual’s quality of life. These include access to jobs, income levels, educational
opportunities, healthcare, and housing (Seekings & Nattrass, 2020).
Relative deprivation describes the sense of dissatisfaction individuals feel when they
believe they are worse off compared to others, regardless of whether their basic needs
are met (Runciman, 1966). Unlike poverty, which focuses on the absence of resources,
relative deprivation centres on perceived inequality, which can exist even in situations
where living conditions are above subsistence level.
Analysis of the Relationship
High unemployment is a key driver of relative deprivation in South Africa. As of 2024,
the national unemployment rate was above 32% (Stats SA, 2024). Being without work
not only limits income but also affects self-esteem and social identity. Comparisons
between jobless individuals and their employed peers often lead to feelings of injustice,
