Abstract
The research examines the effects of higher education intervention programs on social and occupational mobility of single women in Israel. Single-parent households are much more likely to suffer from poverty than two-headed households. Among these, single mothers are at a much bigger risk of poverty than single fathers. This shapes not only the present life of the members of these households but also their and their descendant’s future. For these families, poverty reduction and promoting social mobility are especially important policy goals. Social mobility is a key topic in current political discourse and improving social policy has become the stated aim of significant parts of the welfare system. Much of the effort of promoting mobility is centered on ladder programs. These intervention programs promote social and occupational mobility by improving individuals’ human capital and self-esteem through higher education. This paper examines the Maskila program, a ladder program that focuses on Israeli single mothers. The effects of the program are examined and analyzed through both qualitative and quantitative methods. From the analysis, an ambivalent picture arises that the limits of such intervention programs, do have a positive effect on the individual’s lives and self-esteem. Improvements are limited and their effect on social mobility is stunted as they are unable to mitigate structural barriers that prevent mobility. From this analysis, it is clear that policies that intend to promote mobility of single mothers must incorporate elements that improve human capital but also consider and address structural elements which inhibit mobility.
Presenters
Raviv AnatThe Head Department Unit of Excellence and Innovation in Teaching, Education, Tel-Hai Academic College, Israel
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
Single Mothers, Social Mobility, Human Capital, Higher Education, Self Esteem
