Constructing spaces of discourse and ‘regroupment’: the case of women’s self-reliant groups in Scotland

Hill O'Connor, C. , Mazzei, M. and Montgomery, T. (2022) Constructing spaces of discourse and ‘regroupment’: the case of women’s self-reliant groups in Scotland. Journal of Social Policy, (doi: 10.1017/s0047279422000149) (Early Online Publication)

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Abstract

In liberal welfare systems, social security policy has been increasingly shifting towards conditionality and individualisation (Knotz, 2019). It is within this context that failure to meet the set conditions becomes personal rather than systemic. This has been enabled by policy discourses that construct poverty and unemployment as the result of personal failure and poor social behaviour. While this area of study over emphasises ‘the constraints imposed by discourse’ (Bacchi, 2000: 55), alternative discourses are often developed. This paper draws on ethnographic research investigating the development of self-reliant groups (SRGs) in Scotland. SRGs are small groups of women supporting each other in creating opportunities for personal development. We find that the process of involvement and sharing of experiences between women at the forefront of welfare reform led to the development of a counter public sphere. Yet, the experience doesn’t move fully towards actions for transformative social change.

Item Type:Articles
Additional Information:This study was supported with joint funding from Medical Research Council (MRC) and Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) for a programme entitled ‘Developing Methods to Evidence Social Enterprise as a Public Health Intervention’ grant ref: MR/L0032827/1. The Church of Scotland also contributed to the PhD studentship associated with this research.
Status:Early Online Publication
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Hill OConnor, Dr Clementine
Authors: Hill O'Connor, C., Mazzei, M., and Montgomery, T.
College/School:College of Social Sciences > School of Social and Political Sciences > Sociology Anthropology and Applied Social Sciences
Journal Name:Journal of Social Policy
Publisher:Cambridge University Press (CUP)
ISSN:0047-2794
ISSN (Online):1469-7823
Published Online:08 July 2022
Copyright Holders:Copyright © The Author(s), 2022
First Published:First published in Journal of Social Policy 2022
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons license

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