10 research outputs found
Applying Sen\u27s Capability Approach to Understand Work and Income among Poor People in India
Applying Sen\u27s capability approach, this paper explores income poor individuals\u27 capabilitiesâabilities, skills, resources, and opportunities at personal, inter-personal, and structural levelsâfor work and income. It reports on data collected from 92 individuals identified through purposive sampling and interviewed face-to- face. The study found that 11% of respondents had varied work capabilities and earned a relatively high income; 49% of respondents had some work capabilities and were in the medium income bracket; 40% of respondents had few work capabilities and remained below the poverty line; and 8% of respondents with even fewer work capabilities were not working. Implications include expansion of certain work abilities, skills, resources, and opportunities to enhance poor people\u27s capability for work
Applying Rawlsian Social Justice to Welfare Reform: An Unexpected Finding for Social Work
This paper sketches social workers\u27 understanding of social justice and reliance on Rawls (1971), highlights findings about hard to employ welfare recipients facing welfare reform, and articulates the parameters of Rawlsian justice (Rawls, 1999a; 2001) with particular emphasis on people who have been on welfare for long. The paper shows that social workers do not have any space to maneuver in Rawlsian justice to uphold justice for long-term welfare recipients, and welfare reform\u27s work first stipulation does not violate Rawlsian justice. The paper raises some questions about social workers\u27 continued reliance on Rawls. It suggests social workers update the literature to reflect Rawls\u27s revised and clarified vision of justice and apply it appropriately
Coming Up Short: Family Composition, Income, and Household Savings
Objective: Existing research on savings and liquid-asset accumulation is largely quantitative and focuses on descriptions of how income inequality leads to the ability or inability to save. What has been left out of this body of research is an in-depth exploration of the role family composition may play in the way that households accumulate liquid assets. The purpose of this research is to understand how lower and higher income single- and two-parent families characterize reasons for saving, obstacles to saving, and strategies to save. Method: A diverse sample of 42 parents of kindergarteners were asked questions about household saving at 2 time points. Results: Compared to other family types, lower income single mothers report little savings and aspirations toward very short-term savings horizons as a result of persistent income shortfalls. Unlike two-parent households, lower-income single mothers discussed their reasons for avoiding mainstream financial institutions and opting to use cash instead. Conclusions: To alleviate economic inequality and improve householdsâ ability to withstand financial volatility, social work practice and policy should consider implementing interventions that are responsive to the unique experiences of poverty by family composition
Comparing Rawlsian Justice and the Capabilities Approach to Justice from a Spiritually Sensitive Social Work Perspective
âThis is an electronic version of an article published in the March, 2012 special issue of the Journal of Religion and Spirituality and Social Work entitled Spirituality and Social Justice volume 31, (1-2), pp. 9-31. It is available online at
http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/15426432.2012.647874This article examines two social justice theories, Rawlsian Justice and the Capabilities Approach of Sen and Nussbaum, in relation to congruence with four principles of spiritually sensitive social work. We find that although Rawlsian justice has valuable insights, it has some gaps for promoting spiritually sensitive practice. In contrast, the Capabilities Approach bears more promise for promoting spiritually sensitive social work as it meets all these ethical principles. Scholars could build on its insights to articulate a vision for spiritually sensitive social justice that can guide our professionâs approaches to macro practice and social polic
âWe Routinely Borrow to Surviveâ: Exploring the Financial Capability of Income-Poor People in India
A lack of financial capabilityâfinancial opportunities and abilitiesâand poverty are highly interlinked. Over 65 percent of people in India are excluded from any financial services. This article explores income-poor Indiansâ experiences with financial capability through a qualitative study. Purposive sampling was used to collect data from 658 individuals, through focus groups (n = 566) and face-to-face interviews (n = 92). Findings show that 97 percent of respondents had the opportunity to earn an income, and 55 percent earned through financial inclusion programs, but 87 percent of respondents earned less than U.S. $2 a day. Although almost all saved and needed to borrow, 46 percent were eligible for formal savings and only 23 percent for formal loans. Financial abilities or knowledge and skills related to income, savings, and loans were higher among the few who had a stable income or had medium and high income in relation to those who had unstable and low income. Respondents experienced many challenges with their financial capabilities, including borrowing to save, fearing formal loans, and lacking clarity about loan and interest rate; banks miscalculating interest rates; and political parties influencing access to loans. Implications for social policy and social work practice are discussed
The capabilities approach: a framework to understand and enhance TANF recipientsâ employability
This article reviews the capabilities approach to understand the life circumstances that affect the employability of âhard-to-employâ welfare (Temporary Assistance to Needy Families [TANF]) recipients. It reports research findings related to TANF recipientsâ employment and presents key elements of the capabilities approach. It compares and contrasts functionings that impede and enhance TANF recipientsâ employment. It finds that employability is influenced by seven of the 10 core functioning capabilities identified by Nussbaum. It recommends social workers assess and enhance TANF recipientsâ employability by addressing all these seven functionings as appropriate with particular emphasis on practical reason, affiliation, and control over environment