Families, Welfare States and Resilience

This pioneering book critically reviews and develops the concept of resilience in relation to family life. It examines the experiences of low-resourced families in Belgium, Croatia, Poland, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom, assessing how they manage challenges such as low income and poor working conditions whilst also caring for children and others needing care. It considers the resources that are available to families, how they are utilised and the role and effectiveness of the welfare state system in supporting families with low resources.

Expert authors comparatively analyse the findings from focus group interviews with over 300 participants in the six countries. The participants came from a variety of backgrounds, including lone parent families, those with heavy care-related demands and those with an immigrant background. The book studies the resilience of families in a variety of low-income situations, identifying how they cope with family and employment transitions and risks and discussing the crucial linkages between care, paid work and income. Ultimately, it critiques welfare state provision from the perspective of family resilience and advocates for policy and practical reform in relation to childcare, labour market, and income and service support.

Students and scholars of social policy, comparative welfare studies and sociology will greatly benefit from this cutting-edge book. It is also a vital resource for policymakers and practitioners working in social and labour policy.