Maktlöshetens rum och det stora hoppet : En kvalitativ studie om diakonernas upplevelser av ett ökat socialt arbete

Sammanfattning: Sweden's welfare system has for many years been seen as the absolute safety net in the country, where every person who gets into social difficulties can fall back on the welfare system. Over the past many years, Sweden's welfare system has changed, and more and more people are applying to civil society and its organizations for financial help. One of the organizations that has served as the extended arm of social services is the Church of Sweden and its deacons. The purpose of this study is to create an understanding of how deacons experience the responsibility they take socially and economically in society. At the same time, we want to take a closer look at their thoughts and feelings in the role created by increased responsibility on civil society.In this study, eight qualitative interviews were conducted with deacons who work with people in social vulnerability in Sweden and who, for various reasons, have had to seek financial and material help in the Church of Sweden. In the study, we were able to see how all deacons carry out work that is far beyond their responsibilities, the contributions they make are grants collected through voluntary contributions and taxes paid by their members. Here we have a clear picture of how this actually affects the emotional work of deacons both behind and in front of the stage. The job gets tougher and there is a common feeling amongst the deacons, that they’re not enough for all those who don’t have what many people take for granted, the most basic things, like food or money to pay their bills. The role, responsibility and shortcomings that the deacons have been able to see in social services is also something they feel have affected the relationship between the two. In order to answer our questions, in addition to our qualitative interviews, we have enlisted the help of neoliberalism, concepts from Goffman's dramaturgical theory and Hochschild's emotional work.