Work or welfare: The choice for single mothers in poverty

This study examined the perspectives toward work and welfare of single mothers limited to either welfare or the minimum-wage job market to support their families. A snowball sampling technique resulted in a sample of ten women with experience both in the minimum-wage labor market and on welfare. The study took place over fourteen months. A qualitative design was used, including life histories, structured and unstructured interviews, and group interviews. The data were categorized into Incentives to Work and Disincentives to Work. Primary findings were that there are Incentives to Work consisting of psychosocial needs that are gratified by working. It was also found that there are Disincentives to Work within the Public Aid system and the labor market. Policy implications were discussed, based on the findings.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Social Work

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2011

Author dc:creator

• Kerlin, Ann Elizabeth

Contributors dc:contributor

• Allen-Meares, Paula

• Social Work
• Women's Studies
• Sociology, Public and Social Welfare

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 1990 Kerlin, Ann Elizabeth

Language dc:language

eng

Identifier

AAI9114290
(UMI)AAI9114290

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/20141