Intersectional patterns of social assistance eligibility in Sweden

Abstract

This study examines patterns in social worker decisions on social assistance eligibility in Sweden. Focusing on intersections between applicants' gender, country of birth and family situation, factors that statistically anticipate decisions on granting assistance to individuals from different sub-groups were explored. The sample comprises 423 applications and four sets of modified Poisson regression models were conducted. The results strengthen the impression of social assistance assessments as a practice marked by the professionals' categorizations. In line with previous research, social workers seem to act upon, and reinforce, a male breadwinner model by putting more emphasis on men's efforts to establish self-support. Female applicants, in turn, are seemingly less likely to be granted assistance if they are assessed as having a problem with abuse of alcohol or illicit drugs. Also, having a family seems altogether to have a negative impact on women's chances of approval. When considering gender and country of birth, decisions on social assistance eligibility largely reflect patterns of unemployment.

Gender and ethnicity in social assistance assessments of single applicants with substance abuse problems

“…In addition, the possibility that gendered assessment biases might be materialised through categorisations related to ethnicity remains to a large extent unexplored (cf. Hussénius, 2019).…”

“…The recognition of certain demographic groups as particularly at risk of povertyas well as the notion that help-seeking behaviours are likely to vary between groupsmust also be taken into account when interpreting data on actual decisions on SA eligibility (Hussénius, 2019). From studies based on actual applicants, we know that females more often are granted SA than their male counterparts.…”

“…From studies based on actual applicants, we know that females more often are granted SA than their male counterparts. However, substance abuse problems have been linked to a decreased chance of granting for female clients (Hussénius, 2019). Among those who apply, it has furthermore been shown that foreign-born more commonly are granted SA compared to native-born applicants (Stranz et al, 2017).…”

“…Among those who apply, it has furthermore been shown that foreign-born more commonly are granted SA compared to native-born applicants (Stranz et al, 2017). This is particularly the case for foreign-born women, whereas male natives to lesser extent are granted SA among those who apply (Hussénius, 2019). Corresponding to an intersectional order of unemployment rates, this could indicate that professionals are particularly prone to grant SA to those assumed to face multiple constraints in accessing to other sources of income (cf.…”

“…Corresponding to an intersectional order of unemployment rates, this could indicate that professionals are particularly prone to grant SA to those assumed to face multiple constraints in accessing to other sources of income (cf. Hussénius, 2019;Soss et al, 2008). Speaking against such an interpretation, however, SA transfers have shown to compensate for foreign-born single mothers' deficit to lesser extent than for native-born single mothers (Stranz & Wiklund, 2011).…”