Current social services provided in Canada for low-income women are primarily 'crisis management' in nature as they almost exclusively provide safe housing, adequate nutrition or employment training, and many are under severe financial pressure due to a shifting public policy. As a result, services offered for single mothers living below the poverty line rarely deal with health promotion in terms of physical activity, even though it has been demonstrated that socioeconomic status is a key determinant of health (Frankish, Milligan & Reid, 1996). Although there are many positive mental and physical health benefits associated with regular physical activity (King 1991), its organizational context remains problematic for those who live in poverty and are unable or unwilling to conform to dominant expectations inherent with the consumption of modern forms of physical activity. A moral reasoning tone pervades prescriptions for maintaining and improving health, and those unable to achieve and maintain good health are considered individually responsible, thus obscuring organizational and structural factors that limit involvement. The purpose of this case study of the YWCA was to examine the provision and consumption of health and wellness services for low-income single mothers. Research questions were posed in four areas: i) what meanings do low-income single mothers and YWCA service providers associate with the provision of health and wellness services; ii) how are health and wellness services located within the political, social and economic context of the YWCA; iii) are there points of disjuncture between the provision and consumption of health and wellness services for low-income single mothers; and iv) if points of disjuncture are uncovered, what are the possibilities for emancipatory change in service provision? Several bodies of literature were reviewed to inform the study: social construction of poverty, ideologies of health and physical activity, feminist organization theory, and feminist action research (FAR). FAR is a research process that merges participatory action research with critical feminist theory. Key principles of feminist action research include: 1) gender as a central piece to emerging explanatory frameworks (Maguire, 1987); 2) collaboration and negotiation at all stages of the research process between the researcher, the service providers and the research participants (Green et al., 1995); 3) empowerment through giving control of the research process and decision making to the research participant, while deconstructing the power structures associated with social class (Fals-Borda, 1991; Fawcett, 1991); and 4) social/organizational action and emancipatory change enabled through the democratic production of knowledge (Green et al., 1995). The research methodology involved an examination of: 1) The meanings and experiences of eleven low-income single mothers participating in the FOCUS Pre-employment Training Program which has a wellness component. The data collection strategies included focus groups; a validation meeting the original participants; observations during group meetings and program sessions; and informal discussions. 2) The meanings and experiences of five service providers who were either facilitators of FOCUS or occupied managment positions in the YWCA. The data collection strategies included one-on-one semi-focused interviews; observations of program meetings, group and informal discussions; and a final meeting to discuss potential change. 3) Relevant documents, including brochures, pamphlets, reports and promotional flyers to obtain background and contextual information about the YWCA. The data was analyzed using inductive analysis and the qualitative software program, Q.S.R. NUD.IST. The overall finding was that neither the service providers nor the single mothers viewed wellness as a priority. At the organizational level, the explanation for this finding was that physical activity opportunities were not valued by the funders, whereas employment training was their primary concern. The YWCA's upscale health and wellness services, which offered another opportunity for single mothers to participate, catered on a fee-for-service basis to middle and upper income women and men and pursued a market-driven ideology towards service provision, thus making low-income single mothers' involvement less likely. The social, economic and political context in which FOCUS was situated had a profound influence on the nature of service delivery, and funding constraints were a source of stress for the service providers and infringed on the nature and scope of the services offered for the single mothers. Themes related to points of disjuncture included the service providers' attitudes towards the provision of health and wellness services. Some providers believed that within the confines of the organizational structure and the FOCUS program guidelines, the physical activity opportunities offered to the women were sufficient. Conversely, other providers believed that the organization could take a more active and critical role in determining routes for change and establishing stronger connections between health and wellness activities and the other components of the FOCUS program. All of the service providers alluded to the importance of the women's input and the "organic growth" of the program, however the program's strict curriculum and scarce evaluations resulted in a non-collaborative approach to service delivery. From the single mothers' persepctives, stereotypes of the lazy and unmotivated "welfare single mother" inhited their involvement in community life, including organized forms of physical activity (Fraser & Gordon, 1994; Lord, 1994; Belle, 1990). The women reported experiences with discrimination, a cycle of poverty, complications with social assistance, social stigmas, and childcare responsibilities as their major constraints. Three main reasons for the women's lack of participation were their low sense of entitlement towards physical activity, their ambivalence towards their bodies, and little access to wellness facilities. However, involvement in health and wellness activities was a low-priority for the FOCUS participants, though some of the single mothers mentioned the desirability of incorporating more regular activity sessions into the FOCUS curriculum. Other tensions arose between the realities and ideals of feminist organizing. Distinctions based on class, ethnicity and age separated the upper managerial service providers, the on-site facilitators, and the women accessing the program, perpetuating an elitist, non-collaborative and hierarchical organizationial structure. Based on the single mothers and the service providers' suggestions, four major recommendations for change were provided. First, the participants should be central to and fully collaborative in the organizational processes of the YWCA. Second, if the women involved in the program value physical activity, they should determine ways in which it can become a part of their daily reality. Third, for those involved with the planning and implementation of the FOCUS program, the role of the funders vis a vis the needs of the participants should be determined, and a consistent and 'women-centered' approach to service delivery established. Finally, the YWCA's approach to wellness service delivery should be evaluated and re-conceptualized so that it fulfills and is congruent with the YWCA mission statement. What remained unexplored by the service providers was the potential for the women to redefine hegemonic notions of physical activity (Birrell & Richter, 1987) and to be involved in a meaningful and self-expressive form of activity (Hargreaves, 1990). By listening to the various perspectives and situating experiences within the organizational, political, economic and social contexts, this study provided the beginnings of a critial understanding of the tensions involved in women organizing for women to promote physical activity.

Current social services provided in Canada for low-income women are primarily 'crisis management' in nature as they almost exclusively provide safe housing, adequate nutrition or employment training, and many are under severe financial pressure due to a shifting public policy. As a result, services offered for single mothers living below the poverty line rarely deal with health promotion in terms of physical activity, even though it has been demonstrated that socioeconomic status is a key determinant of health (Frankish, Milligan & Reid, 1996). Although there are many positive mental and physical health benefits associated with regular physical activity (King 1991), its organizational context remains problematic for those who live in poverty and are unable or unwilling to conform to dominant expectations inherent with the consumption of modern forms of physical activity. A moral reasoning tone pervades prescriptions for maintaining and improving health, and those unable to achieve and maintain good health are considered individually responsible, thus obscuring organizational and structural factors that limit involvement. The purpose of this case study of the YWCA was to examine the provision and consumption of health and wellness services for low-income single mothers. Research questions were posed in four areas: i) what meanings do low-income single mothers and YWCA service providers associate with the provision of health and wellness services; ii) how are health and wellness services located within the political, social and economic context of the YWCA; iii) are there points of disjuncture between the provision and consumption of health and wellness services for low-income single mothers; and iv) if points of disjuncture are uncovered, what are the possibilities for emancipatory change in service provision? Several bodies of literature were reviewed to inform the study: social construction of poverty, ideologies of health and physical activity, feminist organization theory, and feminist action research (FAR). FAR is a research process that merges participatory action research with critical feminist theory. Key principles of feminist action research include: 1) gender as a central piece to emerging explanatory frameworks (Maguire, 1987); 2) collaboration and negotiation at all stages of the research process between the researcher, the service providers and the research participants (Green et al., 1995); 3) empowerment through giving control of the research process and decision making to the research participant, while deconstructing the power structures associated with social class (Fals-Borda, 1991; Fawcett, 1991); and 4) social/organizational action and emancipatory change enabled through the democratic production of knowledge (Green et al., 1995). The research methodology involved an examination of: 1) The meanings and experiences of eleven low-income single mothers participating in the FOCUS Pre-employment Training Program which has a wellness component. The data collection strategies included focus groups; a validation meeting the original participants; observations during group meetings and program sessions; and informal discussions. 2) The meanings and experiences of five service providers who were either facilitators of FOCUS or occupied managment positions in the YWCA. The data collection strategies included one-on-one semi-focused interviews; observations of program meetings, group and informal discussions; and a final meeting to discuss potential change. 3) Relevant documents, including brochures, pamphlets, reports and promotional flyers to obtain background and contextual information about the YWCA. The data was analyzed using inductive analysis and the qualitative software program, Q.S.R. NUD.IST. The overall finding was that neither the service providers nor the single mothers viewed wellness as a priority. At the organizational level, the explanation for this finding was that physical activity opportunities were not valued by the funders, whereas employment training was their primary concern. The YWCA's upscale health and wellness services, which offered another opportunity for single mothers to participate, catered on a fee-for-service basis to middle and upper income women and men and pursued a market-driven ideology towards service provision, thus making low-income single mothers' involvement less likely. The social, economic and political context in which FOCUS was situated had a profound influence on the nature of service delivery, and funding constraints were a source of stress for the service providers and infringed on the nature and scope of the services offered for the single mothers. Themes related to points of disjuncture included the service providers' attitudes towards the provision of health and wellness services. Some providers believed that within the confines of the organizational structure and the FOCUS program guidelines, the physical activity opportunities offered to the women were sufficient. Conversely, other providers believed that the organization could take a more active and critical role in determining routes for change and establishing stronger connections between health and wellness activities and the other components of the FOCUS program. All of the service providers alluded to the importance of the women's input and the "organic growth" of the program, however the program's strict curriculum and scarce evaluations resulted in a non-collaborative approach to service delivery. From the single mothers' persepctives, stereotypes of the lazy and unmotivated "welfare single mother" inhited their involvement in community life, including organized forms of physical activity (Fraser & Gordon, 1994; Lord, 1994; Belle, 1990). The women reported experiences with discrimination, a cycle of poverty, complications with social assistance, social stigmas, and childcare responsibilities as their major constraints. Three main reasons for the women's lack of participation were their low sense of entitlement towards physical activity, their ambivalence towards their bodies, and little access to wellness facilities. However, involvement in health and wellness activities was a low-priority for the FOCUS participants, though some of the single mothers mentioned the desirability of incorporating more regular activity sessions into the FOCUS curriculum. Other tensions arose between the realities and ideals of feminist organizing. Distinctions based on class, ethnicity and age separated the upper managerial service providers, the on-site facilitators, and the women accessing the program, perpetuating an elitist, non-collaborative and hierarchical organizationial structure. Based on the single mothers and the service providers' suggestions, four major recommendations for change were provided. First, the participants should be central to and fully collaborative in the organizational processes of the YWCA. Second, if the women involved in the program value physical activity, they should determine ways in which it can become a part of their daily reality. Third, for those involved with the planning and implementation of the FOCUS program, the role of the funders vis a vis the needs of the participants should be determined, and a consistent and 'women-centered' approach to service delivery established. Finally, the YWCA's approach to wellness service delivery should be evaluated and re-conceptualized so that it fulfills and is congruent with the YWCA mission statement. What remained unexplored by the service providers was the potential for the women to redefine hegemonic notions of physical activity (Birrell & Richter, 1987) and to be involved in a meaningful and self-expressive form of activity (Hargreaves, 1990). By listening to the various perspectives and situating experiences within the organizational, political, economic and social contexts, this study provided the beginnings of a critial understanding of the tensions involved in women organizing for women to promote physical activity. / Education, Faculty of / Kinesiology, School of / Graduate

本論文從兩個方面研究了1996年美國福利制度改革對單身母親的影響。首先，本文研究了在SSI和AFDC/TANF兩個政府福利計劃之間是否存在替代效應。其次，本文研究了福利制度改革是否令到更多的單身母親變得邊緣化(沒有參與工作亦沒有領取政府福利)，以及研究她們的長期生活情況。利用美國三個具代表性的調查數據庫, difference-in-difference分析以及logistic回歸分析方法，本文有以下四點結論:（一）SSI和AFDC計劃之間並不存在替代效應；（二）對AFDC/TANF計劃實行五年的領取期限令到部分單身母親變得邊緣化；（三）在年福利改革之後，被邊緣化的單身母親在食物消費上並沒有發生太大的變化；（四）被邊緣化的單身母親傾向將她們多餘的時間分配在個人娛樂方面而不是在家務和照顧小孩上面。雖然年的福利改革成功地減少了領取/計劃的人數，但政策制定者仍需注意改革令到更多的單身母親變得邊緣化，同時應制定相關政策來幫助她們。 / This paper studies the effect of the 1996 welfare reform on single mothers, focusing on two important aspects. First, it examines the existence of programme substitution between SSI and former AFDC/TANF recipients after the reform. Second, it examines the prevalence of single mothers who were disconnected from government assistance and the job market since the reform and evaluates their long-term well-being. Using three major nationally representative surveys, difference-in-difference analysis, and logistic regression models, I arrive at four main findings. First, I find no evidence of a programme substitution effect between AFDC/TANF and SSI. Second, the five-year time limit policy is suggested as being responsible for part of the increase in the disconnected rate among single mothers. Third, disconnected single mothers did not face a food insecurity problem after welfare reform. Fourth, disconnected single mothers allocate much more time to personal entertainment than to productive activities such as housework and child care. While the 1996 welfare reform has succeeded in reducing AFDC/TANF caseloads, policy makers should pay attention to its effects on the disconnectedness of single mothers and help such women leave their disconnected status. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Hoi, Kam Un. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2012. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 59-62). / Abstracts also in Chinese. / Abstract --- p.ii / 摘要 --- p.iii / Acknowledgements --- p.iv / Chapter 1 --- Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 2 --- The AFDC Programme and the 1996 Welfare Reform --- p.3 / Chapter 3 --- Literature Review --- p.5 / Chapter 3.1 --- Employment of single mothers --- p.5 / Chapter 3.2 --- Welfare programme substitution --- p.6 / Chapter 3.3 --- Disconnectedness --- p.9 / Chapter 4 --- Data and Methodology --- p.13 / Chapter 4.1 --- Data sources and description --- p.13 / Chapter 4.2 --- DID analysis --- p.14 / Chapter 4.3 --- Logistic regression methodology --- p.15 / Chapter 5 --- Existence of programme substitution --- p.18 / Chapter 6 --- Change in the number of disconnected single mothers --- p.19 / Chapter 6.1 --- A national picture of single mothers --- p.19 / Chapter 6.2 --- Empirical results --- p.21 / Chapter 6.3 --- Why black single mothers are less likely to be disconnected --- p.22 / Chapter 6.4 --- The separate effects of time limit policy on disconnectedness --- p.23 / Chapter 7 --- Change in the well-being of disconnected single mothers --- p.24 / Chapter 7.1 --- Food consumption --- p.24 / Chapter 7.2 --- Time allocation --- p.26 / Chapter 8 --- Discussion and Policy Implications --- p.29 / Chapter 9 --- Conclusion --- p.31

He, Xiaoyue. / "July 2011." / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2011. / Includes bibliographical references. / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Chapter 1. --- Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1. --- Background --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2. --- Theoretical Model --- p.4 / Chapter 2. --- Literature Review --- p.7 / Chapter 3. --- Data and Methodology --- p.12 / Chapter 3.1. --- Data --- p.12 / Chapter 3.2. --- Methodology --- p.13 / Chapter 3.3. --- Definition of Key Variables --- p.14 / Chapter 4. --- Descriptive Results of DID Analysis --- p.15 / Chapter 5. --- Regression Approach --- p.20 / Chapter 6. --- Time Allocation of Single Mothers of Differing Education Levels --- p.25 / Chapter 7. --- Changes in Leisure Inequality Among Single Mothers --- p.31 / Chapter 8. --- Single Mothers by Demographic Characteristics --- p.33 / Chapter 8.1. --- Single Mothers by Race --- p.33 / Chapter 8.2. --- Single Mothers by Age --- p.35 / Chapter 9. --- Discussion and Policy Implications --- p.36 / Chapter 10. --- Conclusion and Directions for Further Research --- p.39 / Tables and Figures --- p.42 / Appendices --- p.62 / References --- p.82

Thesis (M Social Work)--Stellenbosch University, 2004. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This research investigates the social support networks of single mothers. The basic premise underlying this research is the importance of social workers' understanding of the social support networks of single mothers. It is necessary for social workers to identify the social support systems that exist in a social support network, and to select those systems which would be relevant to the needs of the single mother. The aim of this study is to present guidelines for social workers to empower single mothers to utilise social support networks to fulfil their roles as parents. The research report includes identifying personal information, issues faced by singleparent families, the nature of single-parenthood, emotional and functional changes experienced since becoming a single mother and the social support networks of single mothers. Knowledge of these indicators will increase the awareness of social workers of the needs of single mothers. The research report includes identifying personal information, issues faced by singleparent families, the nature of single-parenthood, emotional and functional changes experienced since becoming a single mother and the social support networks of single mothers. Knowledge of these indicators will increase the awareness of social workers of the needs of single mothers.The research report includes identifying personal information, issues faced by singleparent families, the nature of single-parenthood, emotional and functional changes experienced since becoming a single mother and the social support networks of single mothers. Knowledge of these indicators will increase the awareness of social workers of the needs of single mothers. The research report includes identifying personal information, issues faced by singleparent families, the nature of single-parenthood, emotional and functional changes experienced since becoming a single mother and the social support networks of single mothers. Knowledge of these indicators will increase the awareness of social workers of the needs of single mothers. The empirical research involved the use of both qualitative and quantitative methods in order to explore the theoretical part of the research. This section was divided into two phases. The first phase was devoted to acquiring a sufficient understanding of the nature of what single-parenthood with an emphasis on single mothers, and also to get a better understanding of the single mothers' existing social support network. The second phase included conducting interviews with the single mothers (N=10) with the help of a questionnaire. The findings and responses of the respondents were analyzed and compared with the findings from previous studies undertaken by various authors. The findings of this research can be used as guidelines for social workers who need to assist a single mother with a need or problem, and more specifically can help the single mother to utilize her social support network. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie navorsing ondersoek die maatskaplike ondersteuningsnetwerke van enkel moeders. Die uitgangspunt van die navorsing is dat dit belangrik is dat maatskaplike werkers begrip sal hê vir die maatskaplike ondersteuningsnetwerke van enkelmoeders. Dis belangrik dat maatskaplike werkers die maatskaplike ondersteunings sisteme wat in die maatskaplike ondersteuningsnetwerk bestaan sal identifiseer, en om dan die sisteme wat relevant is tot die behoeftes van die enkelmoeder te selekteer. Die doel van die studie is om riglyne daar te stel vir maatskaplike werkers om enkelmoeders te bemagtig om maatskaplike ondersteuningsnetwerke te gebruik om hul rol as ouers te vervul. Die navorsings verslag sluit die volgende in: identifiserende persoonlike inligting, probleme wat enkelouer gesinne kan ondervind, die aard van enkelmoederskap, emosionele en funsionele veranderinge ondervind sedert enkelmoederskap en die maatskaplike ondersteuningsnetwerke van enkelmoeders in, Kennis van hierdie indikatore sal maatskaplike werkers se bewustheid van die behoeftes van enkel moeders verhoog. Vir die empiriese navorsing is kwalitatiewe en kwantitatiewe metodes gebruik om die teoretiese aspekte van die navorsing te ondersoek. Hierdie afdeling is in twee fases verdeel. Die eerste fase is uitgevoer om genoegsame begrip te verkry van die aard van enkelouerskap met die klem op enkelmoeders, asook om 'n beter begrip te kry van die enkelmoeder se bestaande maatskaplike ondersteuningsnetwerk. Die tweede fase behels die voer van onderhoude met enkelmoeders (N=10) met behulp van 'n vraelys, in Guguletu. Resultate en respondense is ontleed en vergelyk met die bevindinge van vorige studies wat deur verskillende navorsers onderneem is. Die bevindinge van die navorsing kan deur maatskaplike werkers gebruik word as riglyne om enkelmoeders wat behoeftes of probleme ondervind by te staan, en die enkel moeder meer spesifiek kan help om haar maatskaplike ondersteuningsnetwerk te gebruik.