Overview

In the Netherlands, single mothers run a high risk of becoming poor, even though this country has a well-developed welfare system. This study brings together many partial life histories of single mothers of different cultural backgrounds and origins and shows that poverty is not solely material deprivation. Through its in-depth account of the ways single mothers construct their everyday lives, this book sheds light on the many social, cultural and structural dimensions of poverty. In a context of economic hardship, gender inequality and stigmatization, the interviewed women give meaning to their daily subsistence. They develop a wide range of livelihood strategies, exchange support with family and friends, struggle to be socially respected and are proud to raise their children in a decent way. In the past decades, the number of single-mother households has increased rapidly, not only in the Netherlands, but also on a worldwide scale. This study contributes to a better understanding of this profound transformation of household and family structure. Because single mothers often have to face economic hardship, insight in the way they deal with their situation is crucial to enhance our knowledge of poverty. With a foreword by Sylvia Chant.

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9789052603254

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Annelou Ypeij is a cultural anthropologist. She has done extensive research in Peru and the Netherlands on gender and poverty.

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