FUNCTIONAL MARGINALITY: DYNAMICS OF A POVERTY INTERVENTION ORGANIZATION

In: Southwestern Social Science Quarterly, Band 48, Heft 3, S. 411-421

Abstract

The structure, rationale, goals & operating style of an Office of Econ Opportunity-supported poverty intervention org are described as intending to implement a model for soc change which reflects the expectations of the Econ Opportunity Act. Participant observation & unstructured interviews conducted over a period of 9 months revealed the org to have attempted to establish & maintain a position of 'functional marginality' between the community's poor & not-poor, & to have attempted to bring together representatives from both components in cooperative endeavor toward soc action. The org dynamics & dilemmas of 'functional marginality' are discussed, & questions raised concerning the implications of poverty intervention org's for theory & practice. AA.