Integrating intersectionality theory with a quantitative design, this analysis investigates the intersectional dynamics of self-reported health inequalities among lone parents in England and Wales. This study examines the association between lone parenthood, gender, and migrant status simultaneously on health outcomes. It applies logistic regression using data from the 2011 Census Microdata Individual Safeguarded dataset. The findings demonstrate the presence of multiple identity factors that contribute to health inequality, which consequently highlights the impact of cumulative socioeconomic privilege and disadvantage, impacting the health of lone parents. Regardless of gender or migration status, being a lone parent has a negative effect on health. The healthy migrant effect is evident across intersected categories of migrants and socioeconomic groups, particularly among men, partnered parents, and immigrants from Western societies. These results emphasize the significance of considering additional dimensions of social positioning and adopting an intersectional perspective in monitoring health inequalities in the country.

La tesi indaga le condizioni socio-economiche delle famiglie monogenitore, segnatamente quelle con figli minori, assumendo l’ipotesi che l’elevata diffusione della povertà, rilevata in tutta Europa per questa tipologia familiare, sia connessa alla fisionomia dei legami sociali dei nuclei monogenitoriali, e più precisamente ad una ridotta disponibilità di risorse di social support. Il testo si articola in un’ampia ricognizione dei principali contributi teorici in materia di povertà ed esclusione sociale nonché sulla nozione di rete e sulle risorse relazionali degli attori sociali, in un inquadramento statistico e sociologico del fenomeno della monogenitorialità in Italia e in Europa, e, infine, nella presentazione di un approfondimento sul campo, condotto in provincia di Piacenza, sulla presenza e le concrete situazioni di vita dei nuclei monogenitore. La raccolta ed analisi di dati statistici di rilevanza locale, insieme a un ciclo di interviste semi-strutturate a genitori soli, hanno fornito preziosi elementi descrittivi delle condizioni di vita dei nuclei monogenitore, con particolare riferimento alle peculiari caratteristiche delle reti di supporto sociale. Le risultanze dell’indagine sul campo hanno altresì permesso di mettere a fuoco alcuni profili di accentuata vulnerabilità socio-economica, e di identificare alcuni tratti tipici della struttura e del funzionamento delle reti sociali primarie. / This PhD dissertation investigates the socio-economic conditions of lone-parent families, especially of those with minor children, and assumes that the high poverty rate of this type of household, recorded in the whole of Europe, depends on the nature of social ties of lone-parent families, and more precisely on a limited availability of social support resources. The text consists in (1) an extensive survey of the main theoretical studies of poverty and social exclusion, of “social network” and the relational resources of social actors, (2) in a statistical and sociological setting of lone-parenthood phenomenon in Italy and Europe, and (3) in the presentation of a field research carried out in the province of Piacenza about lone-parent families and their real living conditions. The collection and analysis of locally relevant statistical data together with a series of semi-structured interviews with lone parents have provided valuable descriptive elements about the living conditions of lone-parent families with specific reference to the peculiar characteristics of “social support” networks. The results of the field research have also enabled to identify some types of high socio-economic vulnerability and some typical aspects of the structure and the dynamics of primary social networks.

Text in English / The small house phenomenon amongst the Shona people in contemporary Zimbabwe forms part of the relationship and household arrangements amongst certain heterosexual couples. In cases where partners engage in small house relationships, it has specific implications for existing marriage and family dynamics. The study sought to address the question: What are the perceptions on gender dynamics of the small house phenomenon as an emerging family structure in contemporary Zimbabwean society? The relative newness as well as the secretive nature and complexity of the small house relationship, render the nuances of gender dynamics in such contexts worth exploring to add value to the Sociology of Families and gender dynamics. The research was conducted in Harare metropolitan province and adopted social exchange theory and African feminism to illuminate the gender dynamics in small house households. It utilised a qualitative research paradigm and employed in-depth interviews to collect data from 30 participants who were purposively sampled. Findings of the study reveal that although the small house relationship may at times be informed by the ideals of traditional Shona polygynous marital practices, it differs in several respects with polygyny as it attempts to adapt to the socio-economic demands of the 21st century. The study uncovers that the social exchanges in small house relationships are not only gendered, but also based on inequalities relating to class, age and lineage. The small house relationship at times perpetuates gender inequalities between the partners involved. The study exposed how certain small house relationships were inundated with a myriad of problems including gender-based violence, financial constraints and increased susceptibility to HIV and AIDS and other STIs. Problems experienced in small house households are often exacerbated by the secretive nature of the relationship. Furthermore, a form of hegemonic masculinity and emphasised femininity, which are manifestations of the deeply entrenched patriarchal hegemony in the Shona culture, results in asymmetrical intimate relations. It was also revealed that small house households may inadvertently violate children’s rights, including opportunities to access and secure education and social security. Reportedly, disengaged fatherhood in the context of the small house can affect children’s welfare and socialisation negatively. / Sociology / D. Phil. (Sociology)