Poverty and social inequalities in the structure of society Poverty can be defined differently, those who have contradictory opinions on poverty will probably also have different opinions on the causes of poverty and on measurement of poverty. For example, Marxists and feminists have conflict-based ideologies. Marxists believe that there is a class struggle and that the exploitation created by capitalism creates poverty. Feminists believe that patriarchy is based on social inequalities and their ideologies are demonstrated by the wage inequalities between women and men. There is also research showing that there are more women than men in poverty and that 93% of lone parents in poverty are women. However, conflicting arguments are made by the New Right. Their supporters include Margaret Thatcher, Charles Murray and David Marsland and their ideology is based on the individual and not society as a whole. The New Right believes that poverty is caused by the laziness of individuals. Those who agree with the idea that poverty is caused by the social inequalities inherent in society are Marxists, feminists and social democrats. Marxists believe that capitalist society is structured by the economy, and that this structure must be totally transformed in order to eradicate poverty. This would include a revolutionary overthrow of capitalism because eventually the situation will progress towards a small minority of the bourgeoisie (ruling class) and a pool of cheap labour, this is a strong vision because there are more poor people than rich ones, and Marxists have explained this by suggesting that the institutions in the middle of the paper, the institutions that constitute the superstructure of society, this is proven true by statistics and opposing views cannot deny these inequalities. However, those who blame the individual for their inability to escape the poverty trap are also supported by research and there are examples in everyday life of individuals in poverty who do not suffer from social inequalities. I agree more with those who agree that there are social inequalities inherent in society, but I don't believe they are the sole cause of all poverty, for example single parents in poverty are mostly women, and these women they receive fewer benefits because they are assumed to have a male breadwinner in the family who supports them. However, I also believe that some poor people live on benefits because they choose to do so rather than being forced to do so.