Thesis
Welfare debate in the comments section : perceptions of sole mother poverty and welfare in an age of neoliberalism
Southern Cross University
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Southern Cross University
2020
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25918/thesis.81
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Abstract
This study explores online media commenters’ perceptions of sole mother poverty and welfare in an age of neoliberalism. Findings reveal that the most dominant perception of sole mother poverty and welfare use is that they arise from the characteristics and choices of sole mothers, for example their laziness. Crucially, this research finds that across the comments, paid work among mothers is normalised, productivity is conflated with paid work participation, and care work is devalued or rendered invisible. In addition to the overarching discourse of neoliberalism, other dominant discourses and alternative perspectives are reflected in the online comments, including those which consider the impact of social and circumstantial factors in the lives of sole mothers.
Details
- Title
- Welfare debate in the comments section : perceptions of sole mother poverty and welfare in an age of neoliberalism
- Creators
- Emily Wolfinger
- Contributors
- Sandy Kay Darab (Supervisor) - Southern Cross UniversityYvonne A Hartman (Supervisor) - Southern Cross University
- Awarding Institution
- Southern Cross University; Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
- Theses
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Southern Cross University
- Publisher
- Southern Cross University
- Number of pages
- x, 288 pages
- Identifiers
- 991012893899102368
- Copyright
- Copyright E Wolfinger 2020
- Academic Unit
- School of Arts and Social Sciences
- Resource Type
- Thesis