Non-status socialization: Antalya Zeytinköy study regarding the relationship between social exclusion and consumption

The concept of social exclusion is taken as a phenomenon resulting from the social stratification in this study examining the relationship between social exclusion and consumption, In urban life, the fact that poor neighborhoods suburbanized as a result of spatial disintegration are isolated from the urban life, limits those neighborhoods to participate in social life. This situation, apart from the spatial dimension of exclusion, brings about the perception that the poor neighborhoods are associated with crime in urban life as those neighborhoods are prevented from accessing economic, cultural, and public services opportunities. On the other hand, consumption acts as an intermediary for the unique position of various status groups and social classes in urban life to be observable and for the reflection of the lifestyles. In this respect, today's consumption relations causing the vagueness of social inequalities may turn into a means for underclass individuals to be used in the assignation of social pride and social inclusion. From this point of view, in this study, attitudes of urban poor individuals who are subject to social exclusion towards consumption are examined from a structural-functional approach. This situation represents the consumption processes of poor individuals for the establishment of social inclusion while they are undergoing the processes of exclusion. In the study, in which both qualitative and quantitative data collection methods have been implemented, a questionnaire prepared by using categorical scale consisting of 56 questions is applied in Yeşildere neighborhood located at Antalya Zeytinköy region. Collected data have been compiled descriptively and are depicted in a way suitable for the association of the exclusion and consumption processes of the residents of the neighborhood. As a result of the assessment of qualitative and quantitative data, it is understood that the underclass individuals perform consumption behaviors with the aim of meeting their minimum requirements as well as participating in social life and earn respect in society. However, this consumption behavior does not lead to any permanent changes in their status or class positions. The position of the consumption in relation to social exclusion within the scope of the study is explained with the concept of "non-status socialization". Keyword: Underclass, Status, Social Stratification, Social Exclusion, Consumption, Non- Status Socialization