The problem with Maslow's hierarchy of needs is that it does not take into account that some people have reached the top of the hierarchy and find themselves falling down to the bottom (such as immigrants forced to leave affluent social circumstances etc). Once you have reached the top of the hierarchy (encountered self actualisation) and then find yourself having to start all over again, the hierarchy loses its order. People who have nothing, find that their needs were shaped when they had everything. Basic necessities such as food and shelter can seem less important than social identity, to those who "once had everything".

Anne Hampshire:

From what I can gather from the latest research into the 'p' lexicon, it's just another low key Public funded ' cheque-book-grant - bureaucratic ' undertaking by SPRC - UNSW to lend credence to their Academic miasma.

Everybody knows there's poverty in our midst; that the afluenza enjoy their ' ill-gotten-gains ' not from shear hard yakka, 12/24 battles-with-the-ungrateful-public; non-stop frugality; and year long skirmishes with the ATO..etc. It seems highlighting the 'disadvantage-near-do-well ' will gain kudos, probity, and even earn imprimatur brownie points amidst the intelligentsia - even if nothing else will ?

The cognoscente are looking for a crutch.

Obesity, dementia, social ostracism, ad finitum, is too much for the recondite mind. Living amongst the insulated scholarship; bereft of the need to equate paucity with the high life; nor seeking an excuse to holiday Overseas on sabbaticals - they have got to be joking.

The author goes on to say 2700/670 respondents replied to her survey, with various answers to 3 simple questions. Not particularly news-worthy except who/what/where were the recipients. Did they bother to send the questionnaire to the indegene's in Palm Island, Redfern, Cherbough or reserves in Cooktown or Arnhem Land ?

Ninety per cent identified with children's activities. None identified with basic necessities. Which suggests the whole shenanigans was a waste of Taxpayer's resources. In truth, it didn't address destitution, beggary, squalor, starvation, slums or myriad schadenfreude of poverty ! moreover, the make-over is flawed and in contempt of the truely impoverished underclass. It is one thing to access ' essentials' in stark contrast to bare necessities.

A prima facie case of specious reasoning. Indeed.

This survey parodied a similar attempt by the Catholic Diocese of Brisbane to address issue's plaguing the ' surf, sun and sand ' holiday image destination on the Gold Coast. All manner of congregation were asked to fill in the 15 point questionnaire. Presumably, it sought to seek answers as to who/what/where couples defined their social economic status. There may have been a agenda to gauge what people could afford in the second collection, or irrevocably pledge to

to the Church's bottomless Budget expenditure - whatever. We are still waiting Pontifical disclosure.

The statistics from the ABS albeit the Hendersen Report go a long way to quantify the bacic wage relative to the CPI index - which makes little sense to the down-and-out.

Stomach hunger pains, lack of medication, depression, overcrowding, chronic housing shortages, alcoholism, substance abuse, physical intimidation.. the list is endless. These are the face's of the underpriviledged and neglected - have you ever asked but once their impressions of Australian Society ?

Predictably, the survey addresses the white middleclass - otherwise Ms Hampshire would have elucidated the more obvious. Me thinks - the tongue-in-cheek expose is a cheap chimerical excuse for the high-brow to look down on their contemporaries and do some 'chest-pounding'. The them-and-us sydrome is alive and well. Our society, for all it's rhetoric, marginalizes the asceticism of poverty i.e stigmatises the down trodden. It behoves the rich to poke fun at the poverty stricken. Trouble is, we could all easily fall prey to this delusion.

Whatever the outcome of this research, spare a thought for our Aborigines. The survey should address the issue post haste. It is 200 plus years in the making and despite the moral/ ethical implications, the University of NSW should wax lyrical.

Ciao

Demos,
Mate you are spot on, poverty should not exist in a country the World Bank describes as the "wealthiest nation on Earth" trouble is the wealth is so concerntrated in very few hands. Perhaps we need a re-distribution of wealth in favor of the many, and against the few, so everyone can again feel as though they live in "the lucky country" if not, what is our next move?

Demos,
I don't believe Australia is a backward country at all. The way is open for anyone and I mean anyone seeking a better life than that which they currently enjoy/endure to pursue it. What that constitutes can be subjective as mentioned.
The "gummint" is not responsible for poverty. If the government did not take time to measure that which was minimum for continued subsistence in terms of food, shelter and clothing we would have no clue as to who was above or below the poverty line as measured.
One could argue that corporate profits and greedy shareholders are responsible. Others would argue that the beggar and the rich man have exactly the same number of hours in the day available to them. With rights comes responsibility. A man with a dream will not be denied, regardless of circumstance.
Personally, I am always happy to help anyone willing to help themselves. I too often come across whingers and moaners who back off from an opportunity to improve their lot because thay may have to expend a little effort or lose some TV time. Go look in the housing commission areas. Count the satellite dishes and foxtel connections.
It's symptomatic of a slack attitude. Lack of education is no excuse. Substance abuse is no excuse. That's a decision. I and perhaps you have had the same options presented to us and chosen a smarter path.
I'm by no means the sharpest tool in the shed but I know enough that personal progress is achieved through self-education, whatever it takes.
I've had times in my life when baked beans were a marvellous meal. It was no-ones responsibility other than mine to change that if I wanted to. I chose to change. No one stopped me. They too were willing to help someone helping themselves. That choice is open to all.

tRAKKA,
Why then are there so many HOMELESS PEOPLE IN THE WEALTHIEST NATION ON EARTH? You aren't sure, well I'll tell you uneven distribution of money for effort. You are living under a delusion, you should get out more, not to fancy snob class sites, but into reality.