Social Policy for the Middle Class Needs and Challenges in the Light of Memoirs

Abstract

The authors address the issue of selected elements of the social policy offer in the context of the contemporary social challenges and changing recipients needs. They draw attention to the representatives of the middle class who, as a subject of interest for creators of social policy offer, and also as the clients of such social services, remain marginalized. By analyzing the significance of the crises (unemployment and health crisis), they recognize their consequences for the quality of life and the possibility of fulfilling the aspirations of the middle class, offering the extension of the social help offer which will not be limited to the reacting to the crucial deficits and dependency. The authors take a closer look at the identity of the middle class, discussing its values, norms and needs from the perspective of shaping the future offer of support, relevant to its needs and social costs. They point to the importance of the middle-class orientation to the success, the cult of self-sufficiency, as well as status insecurity and loosening of the social bonds for the formation of the needs and ways of satisfying them. Based on the diaries of the unemployed people and the diaries written during the COVID-19 pandemic, they analyse selected issues related to the quality of labour market services and the health care system. They address the issue of the connection of state-led social policies with the design of a new service perspective.