Society and living standards 1) What comes to mind when you hear the term standard of

living? 2) Whats your standard of living like? 3) Has your standard of living gone up or down
over the years? 4) What is the standard of living like in your country compared to its
neighbours? 5) Do you think standard of living is more important than quality of life? 6) Bhutan
measures Gross Domestic Happiness, pretty much all other countries measure standard of
living. Which is best? 7) What do we measure to find the standard of living? 8) Would you
include issues like the climate and crime in measuring the standard of living? 9) What do you
think your standard of living will be like when you retire? 10) Do you think the standard of
living is a cultural or economic measurement? 11) How do countries increase the standard of
living for citizens? 12) Is it possible for all countries to enjoy the same standard of living? 13)
Why dont countries copy the economic policies of the countries with the highest standard of
living? 14) Would you like to move to the country with the highest standard of living? 15) Is the
standard of living related to the cost of living? 16) Do you think your town has a high standard
of living? 17) Is the standard of living or the standard of living most important? 18) What part
does the Internet play in the standard of living? 19) Could you cope with the standard of living
in the developing world? 20) An Indian spiritual leader said: "It is not the standard of living that
is important, but the manner of living." Do you agree Society and living standards Which type
of school did you go to and did you enjoy it? How long have you been learning English and why
do you think it is important? If you moved to a bigger city what would you miss from your
home town? Is it better to work with people to prevent diseases or treat them after they have
the disease? Do you think living standards are good where you live? Which customs in your
country do people from abroad enjoy? Which aspect of life in your country might be difficult
for people from another country? Have you ever been to a country where you found certain
aspects of life difficult? What festivals do you celebrate in your country? What are some of the
customs you dont like in your country? Which customs in your country which are associated
to food?

1) SOCIETY AND LIVING STANDARDS

Vocabulary related to society

Standard of living
A grade or level of subsistence and comfort in everyday life enjoyed by a community, class,
or individual

Society
A society is a population of humans characterized by patterns of relationships between
individuals that share a distinctive culture and/or institutions. More broadly, a society is an
economic, social and industrial infrastructure, in which a varied multitude of people are a
part of. Members of a society may be from different ethnic groups.

Antisocial
Antisocial (against society) is often used in colloquial speech to mean unfriendly or not
sociable (asocial). In scientific use, antisocial refers more specifically to a person who is
harmful or hostile to others, or to society in general.

Social exclusion
Social exclusion relates to the alienation or disenfranchisement of certain people within a
society. It is often connected to a person's social class, educational status, relationships in
childhood and living standards and how these might affect access to various opportunities.
It also applies to some degree to people with a disability, to minority men and women of
all races, to the elderly, and to youth (Youth Exclusion). Anyone who deviates in any
perceived way from the norm of a population may become subject to coarse or subtle
forms of social exclusion.

Here are some definitions of Social exclusion :

Social exclusion is about the inability of our society to keep all groups and individuals
within reach of what we expect as a society...[or] to realize their full potential."

"Whatever the content and criteria of social membership, socially excluded groups and
individuals lack capacity or access to social opportunity.

Social class
Social class refers to the hierarchical distinctions (or stratification) between individuals or
groups in societies or cultures.

People may be part of lower, middle or higher classes.

Minority
A minority or subordinate group is a sociological group that does not constitute a
politically dominant voting majority of the total population of a given society.

Examples of minority groups include emigrants, blacks, ...

Social solidarity
Social solidarity refers to the integration, and degree and type of integration, shown by a
society or group.

Association
A voluntary association or union (also sometimes called a voluntary organization,
unincorporated association, or just an association) is a group of individuals who voluntarily
enter into an agreement to form a body (or organization) to accomplish a purpose for the
good of society.
Examples of association include associations for the defense of human rights, minorities,
the disabled ...

Multicultural Society
A society in which there is a cultural diversity.
Health care, or healthcare, is the prevention, treatment, and management of illness and
the preservation of

Health carehealth through services offered by the medical, dental, nursing, and allied
health professions.
Voluntary work
Voluntary work is done by volunteers for the benefit of a community or society.

A volunteer is someone who works for a community or for the benefit of environment
primarily because they choose to do so. Volunteers do not normally get paid.

Homelessness
Homelessness is the condition and social category of people who lack housing, because
they cannot afford, or are otherwise unable to maintain, regular, safe, and adequate
shelter. People who are part of this social category are called homeless people.

Poverty
Poverty is the deprivation of common necessities such as food, clothing, shelter and safe
drinking water, all of which determine our quality of life. It may also include the lack of
access to opportunities such as education and employment which aid the escape from
poverty and/or allow one to enjoy the respect of fellow citizens.

Citizenship
Citizenship is membership in a political community (originally a city or town but now
usually a country) and carries with it rights to political participation; a person having such
membership is a citizen.

Gender Roles
A gender role is defined as a set of perceived behavioral norms associated particularly with
males or females, in a given social group or system. It can be a form of division of labor by
gender.

Domestic violence
Domestic violence (also known as domestic abuse or spousal abuse) occurs when a family
member, partner or ex-partner attempts to physically or psychologically dominate
another. Domestic violence often refers to violence between spouses, or spousal abuse
but can also include cohabitants and non-married intimate partners.

ISE II: Society and Living Standards 1

Questions

1. How do you think your current lifestyle and living standards compare with that of
your parents?
2. At what age should a son or daughter be allowed to leave home?
3. Do you think there are more single-parent families now?
4. Which aspects of society are improving?
5. Are there any aspects of society that are getting worse?
6. Should unemployed people get state benefits?
7. Do you believe in a high tax economy?
8. Is immigration a problem in your country?
9. What do you think are the characteristics of a good member of society?
10. Do you have a vision of a better society? What changes would you make?