Families and Poverty: Everyday Life on a Low Income (Studies in Poverty, Inequality and Social Exclusion)

The recent radical cutbacks of the welfare state in the UK have meant that poverty and income management continue to be of great importance for intellectual, public and policy discourse. Written by leading authors in the field, the central interest of this innovative book is the role and significance of family in a context of poverty and low-income. Based on a micro-level study carried out in 2011 and 2012 with 51 families in Northern Ireland, it offers new empirical evidence and a theorisation of the relationship between family life and poverty. Different chapters explore parenting, the management of money, family support and local engagement. By revealing the ordinary and extraordinary practices involved in constructing and managing family and relationships in circumstances of low incomes, the book will appeal to a wide readership, including policy makers.The recent radical cutbacks of the welfare state in the UK have meant that poverty and income management continue to be of great importance for intellectual, public and policy discourse. Written by leading authors in the field, the central interest of this innovative book is the role and significance of family in a context of poverty and low-income. Based on a micro-level study carried out in 2011 and 2012 with 51 families in Northern Ireland, it offers new empirical evidence and a theorisation of the relationship between family life and poverty. Different chapters explore parenting, the management of money, family support and local engagement. By revealing the ordinary and extraordinary practices involved in constructing and managing family and relationships in circumstances of low incomes, the book will appeal to a wide readership, including policy makers FAMILIES AND POVERTY Contents List of tables Acknowledgements Introduction Aims and objectives Theoretical background Definitions and theoretical framework Methodology The interviews Analysis Limitations of the study Structure of the book 1. Introducing the respondents Personal and family characteristics Economic status Household income Housing tenure Health How did people get into their current situation? Overview 2. Family life through an economic lens Money and need Money and the rhythms and moods of family life Family expenditure and consumption patterns The rational economy versus the moral economy Money management Overview 3. The construction, possibilities and limits of family in conditions of poverty and low income Views and understandings of family Constructing family life Dispositions, resources and capabilities Relative (dis)empowerment Overview 4. Parents and their children The significance of children Parenting in conditions of low income The impacts of parenting in low-income situations Being a child in a low-income family Overview 5. Wider family relationships and support Degree of support from family Types of support received Ambivalence surrounding family support Giving (back) to family Overview 6. Social networks and local engagement The locality and family life Friendship networks Contact with, and support from, neighbours Local services Comparisons with others Overview 7. Representing self and family Embarrassment Shame Othering Overview 8. The policy context and the implications of the findings Welfare and family policy reform Likely impact of welfare reform Illness and disability Childcare provision Income (in)adequacy and employment Fuel poverty Place, locality and an integrated set of services 9. Conclusion Facing the future Overview of results in the light of theoretical framework A final word References Interview schedule Family life in Northern Ireland in 2012 Details of response rate and equivalisation of income Equivalisation of income Index The Recent Radical Cutbacks Of The Welfare State In The United Kingdom Have Kept Poverty And Income Management At The Heart Of Intellectual, Public, And Policy Discourse. This Innovative Book Adds To That Conversation, Taking As Its Focus The Role And Significance Of Family In The Context Of Poverty And Low-income Conditions. Based On A Micro-level Study Carried Out In 2011 And 2012 With Fifty-one Families In Northern Ireland, It Draws From Fresh Empirical Evidence To Offer A New Theorization Of The Relationship Between Family Life And Poverty. Different Chapters Explore Such Topics As Parenting, The Management Of Money, Family Support, And Local Engagement. Together, They Detail The Practices Of Constructing And Managing Family Life And Relationships In Circumstances Of Poverty, Making This Book Of Interest To A Wide Readership Including Policy Makers. Introduction -- Introducing The Respondents -- Family Life Through An Economic Lens -- The Construction, Possibilities And Limits Of Family In Conditions Of Poverty And Low Income -- Parents And Their Children -- Wider Family Relationships And Support -- Social Networks And Local Engagement -- Representing Self And Family -- The Policy Context And The Implications Of The Findings -- Conclusion -- App. A: Interview Schedule -- App. B: Details Of Response Rate And Equivalisation Of Income. Mary Daly And Grace Kelly. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. This title provides major new insight into contemporary family life, particularly under conditions of poverty and low income. Based on the findings of a major study of everyday life and family relationships carried out in Northern Ireland, and including powerful verbatim accounts of conversations with family members, the book develops and applies a theoretical framework of the relationship between family and poverty/low income. This conceives of the relationship in structural, cultural, relational and representational terms. Applying this framework makes for a rich conceptual and empirical analysis