Final answer:
Slums are a result of absolute poverty and various factors like rapid urbanization, economic disparity, lack of resources, political corruption, and systemic inequality. These areas have insufficient infrastructure and services, leading to unsanitary, overcrowded living conditions, which perpetuate a cycle of poverty that is hard to escape.
Step-by-step explanation:
Slums exist as a manifestation of absolute poverty, which is characterized by the inability to meet basic needs such as housing, food, and healthcare. The formation of slums is often a consequence of numerous factors including rapid urbanization, economic disparities, and lack of access to resources. Subjective poverty also contributes to the existence of slums, as it reflects the disparity between one's income and their expectations or perceptions of what they need to live.
In densely populated areas of the world, particularly in cities in Asia and Africa, the pressure on resources leads to inadequate living conditions. Slums and squatter settlements typically lack essential public services such as electricity, clean water, and sewage disposal, and are often associated with high levels of crime, unemployment, and social unrest. The political and economic context plays a significant role; for instance, corruption, unstable government systems, and limited global market access exacerbate the conditions under which slums are formed and persist.
The cycle of poverty is both a cause and a consequence of slums, with inadequate healthcare, limited education, and high population density creating environments that make escaping poverty extraordinarily difficult. The existence of slums also reflects systemic issues such as racism, inequality, and social exclusion. These factors contribute to the marginalization of slum inhabitants, further hindering social mobility and the potential for improved living conditions.