Kvinnors egna berättelser om fattigdom : En kvalitativ studie av tre skönlitterära böcker om att vara kvinna och fattig i Sverige

Sammanfattning: Sweden is generally associated as a good example of a welfare state, but research shows that both relative poverty and economic inequality are increasing. People who have once been in poverty are likely to fall back. Amongst the poor population, women are the dominating group and are more likely to be poor than men. Poverty is a direct consequence of discrimination between women and men, which indicates that poverty has a gendered nature. Furthermore, in meetings of social services, social workers should be able to meet people’s different experiences equally. Yet, studies show that women are experiencing negative feelings such as stigma, shame and powerlessness. The aim of this study was to examine women in poverty in Sweden, their experiences of poverty and their meetings with social services. In order to achieve the aim of this study, we have conducted a qualitative content analysis by reading three fictional books that has attracted attention in the media and has been criticized as well as praised. To analyze our empirical material, an intersectional perspective has been used due to the relevance of aspects such as gender, class and ethnicity. The results revealed that poverty is by essence complex, versatile and experienced in different levels. Poverty has devastating consequences for women such as difficulties to plan consumption and pay both rent and food. Their illness is often connected with poverty and vice versa. Because of their poverty, they are excluded from the social life due to their difficulty participating in social activities. Furthermore, they often live in segregated areas with concentrated poverty and suffer from difficulties in the labour market as a result of the discrimination, which makes it even harder for them to overcome poverty. This study has shown us the importance of reading fictional books for a further understanding to clients we may encounter in our future as social workers. It has given us a wider perspective on how poverty affect people’s daily life and well-being as well.