Bill Jordan Reader in Social Studies at Sheffield University., Simon James Senior Lecturer in Economics at Exeter University., Helen Kay Researcher for the Scottish Office., Marcus Redley Research Assistant at Exeter University.

• Chapter 1 Introduction; Chapter 2 Contested territory; Chapter 3 The study, the people and the methods; Chapter 4 The ‘breadwinners’; Chapter 5 ‘Fitting it all in’; Chapter 6 Joint decision-making?; Chapter 7 Community, kinship and housing; Chapter 8 Lone-parent households; Chapter 9 Conclusions: trapped in poverty?;