armoedecycli

Armoedecycli is a theoretical concept used to describe the recurring and self-reinforcing patterns of poverty observed in individuals and communities. In this framing, poverty is not viewed as a one-time event but as a chain of conditions and outcomes that perpetuate deprivation across time and generations. The term combines the Dutch word armoede (poverty) with a suffix evoking cyclical recurrence.

Usage and scope: The term appears in discussions within social science and policy debates, particularly when analyzing the persistence of poverty despite formal education and welfare interventions. It is often contrasted with simpler explanations of poverty that focus on a single cause.

Key factors: Armoedecycli emphasizes the interaction of economic shocks, debt, housing instability, health disparities, limited access to quality childcare and education, labor market segmentation, discrimination, and policy fragmentation. These elements can create feedback loops that raise risk of future poverty.

Implications: Addressing armoedecycli typically requires comprehensive, multi-sector strategies that combine income support, affordable housing, healthcare, early childhood intervention, job training, and active labor market policies, with a focus on breaking intergenerational transmission.

See also: Cycle of poverty, Poverty trap, Social inequality.

Notes: Because armoedecycli is not a universally recognized term, usage varies and it is often treated as a descriptive concept within broader discussions of poverty dynamics rather than a distinct, widely defined theory.