Estratégias de vida utilizadas pelas famílias monoparentais femininas em situação de vulnerabilidade social

Abstract

This dissertation is the result of the work carried over three intense semesters about life strategies used by monoparental female families facing social vulnerability. Therefore we aim to contribute to the theorical understanding of the subject, taking into account what has already been developed by different authors. Based on the selected bibliography, the vulnerability in single parenthood is understood from the point of view of gender, highlighting the incipient opportunities and quality of work of women. The eleven interviews conducted with lone mothers, who take care of their children and are accompanied by social services, were essential to understand the difficulties of labor insertion, the experience of single parenthood, the relation with the assistance due to the vulnerability felt, the fragile support network, the personal resources, as well as life strategies designed to overcome difficult situations. It is evident the need to promote active social policies directed to families with only a parent since that the measures to support these families are scarce and assistencial. In order to overcome social vulnerability, these mothers adopt life strategies, which highlight the strong alliance between mother and children, the recognition of happiness in small daily events, the adoption of positive thoughts, the importance of inner strength and the tight management of the financial resources.

Date of Award	Oct 2012
Original language	Portuguese
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	Maria Inês Amaro (Supervisor)