Dearlove, Josephine Patricia (1999) Lone or alone? : a qualitative study of lone mothers on low income with reference to support in their everyday lives. PhD thesis, University of Warwick.

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Abstract

The thesis invites women to voice their perceptions and experiences on being lone mothers,
in receipt of Income Support and what 'support' means to them in their daily lives as
carers of pre-school children. This qualitative study is set against firstly, the backdrop of
the increasing numbers of lone mothers and their reliance on income support. Also
prevalent was a negative discourse around lone motherhood. Secondly, lone mothers were
encountering the consequences of a restructuring of social and welfare policy and practice,
with the changing boundaries between public and private responsibilities impacting on their
daily lives. Thirdly, within this changing socio-economic and political landscape, both
neo-liberal and 'third way' governments identify kinship as the appropriate resource for
families in need. The study draws data and analysis from the perceptions and experiences
of, initially, thirty-three women in five focus groups and more particularly, from thirtyseven
lone mothers on Income Support. The findings of the thesis highlight the qualitative
difference between alone and not alone, lone mothers. This key, but previously underresearched
distinction, is shown to turn on the quality and consistency of support. It is the
degrees of availability or lack of social and material support which is found to be crucial in
mediating, moderating or amplifying the aloneness of the lone mother. The research
illustrates how this qualitative difference in women's lives cannot be captured within
categories of quantitative data. Emphasised is how different forms of support serve as
gateways through which other forms of support are accessed. What is argued is that those
lacking support may face being multiply disadvantaged and experience cumulative levels of
support deprivation which formal support may do little to alleviate. Lastly, while all forms
of support are identified as being mutually reinforcing, child-care appears to be
particularly pivotal. As a central gateway to accessing other support, it directly enhances
well being and the capability to care.

Item Type:	Thesis or Dissertation (PhD)
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HQ The family. Marriage. Woman
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Low-income single mothers -- Great Britain
Official Date:	March 1999
Dates:	Date Event March 1999 Submitted
Institution:	University of Warwick
Theses Department:	Department of Social Policy and Social Work
Thesis Type:	PhD
Publication Status:	Unpublished
Supervisor(s)/Advisor:	Graham, Hilary ; Roberts, Helen, 1949-
Extent:	xii, 336 leaves
Language:	eng

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