Families and Poverty: Everyday Life on a Low Income

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 -- Appendix A: Interview schedule -- Appendix B: Details of response rate and equivalisation of income.

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.

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 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