Women, Vulnerabilities and Welfare Service Systems

This book explores women's experiences with welfare systems in Europe and beyond, highlighting the need for responsive and inclusive services that address their unique vulnerabilities. It provides valuable insights for academics, policymakers, and professionals working in social and health care.

Format: Hardback
Length: 174 pages
Publication date: 09 October 2020
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This comprehensive book delves into the intricate dynamics of welfare systems across Europe and beyond, with a special focus on the experiences and challenges faced by women in vulnerable positions within society. These systems are undergoing significant transformations, driven by a multitude of factors such as new models of service delivery and management, austerity measures, demands for cost-effectiveness, marketization, and the prioritization of specific services.

The book is structured into three distinct parts:

Welfare Service Systems (Not) Responding to Vulnerable Situations of Women: This section explores the gaps and shortcomings in existing welfare service systems when it comes to addressing the unique needs and circumstances of women in poverty, homelessness, substance abuse, criminal justice, care for girls and young women, and refugee and asylum-seeking situations. Through extensive research and critical discussions from Finland, Canada, Israel, Slovenia, Spain, and the UK, the book offers valuable empirical findings and insightful perspectives, providing a valuable resource for academics, students, social work professionals, social policy experts, sociologists, and gender studies scholars alike.

Womens Encounters with the Welfare Service System: In this section, the book delves into the personal stories and experiences of women who have interacted with the welfare service system. It sheds light on the complexities and difficulties they encounter, including systemic barriers, discrimination, lack of support, and the challenges of navigating the system to obtain the assistance they need. By drawing upon these firsthand accounts, the book provides a deeper understanding of the lived realities of women in vulnerable positions and highlights the urgent need for systemic improvements.

Contradictions of Informal Support: Recognizing that formal welfare services alone may not always suffice, this section explores the role of informal support networks in complementing and filling the gaps left by formal systems. It examines the dynamics of informal support, including family, friends, community organizations, and volunteer groups, and explores how they contribute to the well-being and resilience of women in vulnerable situations. The book highlights the importance of recognizing and valuing informal support as an essential component of comprehensive welfare systems and explores strategies for fostering stronger and more inclusive informal support networks.

In conclusion, this book offers a comprehensive and insightful examination of welfare systems in Europe and beyond, with a particular emphasis on the experiences and challenges faced by women in vulnerable positions. By drawing upon research and critical discussions from a diverse range of countries, the book provides valuable insights and recommendations for policymakers, professionals, and advocates working to create more equitable and inclusive welfare systems that prioritize the needs and rights of all women.

Weight: 422g
Dimension: 162 x 240 x 17 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367228026