The influence of shame and shaming on subjective agency in the context of poverty

A socio-phenomenological study

Abstract

The article examines the relationship between poverty and subjective agency. It argues that experiences of disregard play a crucial role in this. People in poverty often undergo humiliations that undermine their self-conception and worldview. They begin to devalue their own situation and develop a sense of shameful self-contempt. This shame leads to resignation, demoralization, and passivity. The article elucidates the theoretical underpinnings of this argument and connects them with empirical cases. It is demonstrated that poverty not only leaves the impression of a blocked future but also brings with it a sense of social exclusion and detachment. In this context, the significance of social recognition and its influence on the constitution of the experiencing subject is emphasized. At the same time, the results also highlight that experiences of shame in poverty do not necessarily lead to self-contempt but can also lead to rebellion and resistance.