Network dilemmas. Supplements when income doesn’t cover family expenses

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to explore how families with low income experience network supplements when income does not cover the daily expenses, and to discuss how people look at this supply. The article is based on qualitative data from the Norwegian ‘Children’s level of living – study’. One child and one parent in 26 low income families were interviewed individually about their daily life. This article is based on interviews with the parents, and the analyses are inspired by grounded theory. Results: Despite a universal welfare system, people firstly turn to family and social network when they are in need. This is, however, an ambiguous experience and the informants are concerned about being able to reciprocate the help, although this can be a challenge when you are the weak part in a relation. The results are discussed in the light of social exchange theory and social capital.

Keywords:

• Low income families
• network supply
• social exchange
• reciprocity
• social capital

Ackowledements

This work is part of the project ‘Children’s level of living – the impact of familyincome’, a collaboration between Norske kvinners sanitetsforening (The Norwegian Women’s Public Health Association) and NOVA; Norwegian Social Research. I thank the project leader Professor Mona Sandbæk for giving me the opportunity to take part in this project, and for her support and useful comments on my work. I am also grateful to Professor Rolf Rønning, Lillehammer University College for his supervision.