LE3 .A278 2021

2021

Frank, Lesley

Acadia University

Master of Arts

Masters

Sociology

Sociology

This thesis explores barriers and challenges for single parents on welfare in Nova Scotia of accessing post-secondary education, most notably the effects of institutional welfare policy itself. This thesis draws on Feminist Political Economy and a key concept of the relations of ruling as developed by Smith (1989) as a theoretical orientation. An Institutional Ethnography research approach was used, and 10 semi-structured interviews were conducted between April and June of 2020. The findings are discussed in light of the importance of higher education for low-income single parents arguing that relations of ruling prevent single parents on welfare from leaving conditions of poverty through education–mediated by conflicting ideas of the poor and the roles of parents, and institutional ideologies and arrangements of social welfare provisions.

The author retains copyright in this thesis. Any substantial copying or any other actions that exceed fair dealing or other exceptions in the Copyright Act require the permission of the author.

https://scholar.acadiau.ca/islandora/object/theses:3641