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Measures of Disadvantage: is Car Ownership a Good Indicator?

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Abstract

A need to better understand the multidimensional nature of disadvantage is leading to the adoption of a wider range of measurement variables. One variable now commonly adopted is zero car ownership. This paper challenges the logic of including ‘not having a car’ as an indicator of disadvantage. It argues that this can distort the real picture of disadvantage. It presents evidence to show that zero car ownership can be a positive feature of low income households and that conversely high car ownership can put significant financial stress on households with low income.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Civil Engineering, Institute of Transport Studies, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia

    Victoria Johnson & Graham Currie

  2. Monash Sustainability Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia

    Janet Stanley

Authors
  1. Victoria Johnson
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  2. Graham Currie
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  3. Janet Stanley
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Correspondence to Victoria Johnson.

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Johnson, V., Currie, G. & Stanley, J. Measures of Disadvantage: is Car Ownership a Good Indicator?. Soc Indic Res 97, 439–450 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11205-009-9510-1

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