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Erkännandets pris - om betydelsen av fattigdom i före detta kriminellas livsberättelser

Govender, Lagunathan LU (2016) SOAM21 20161
School of Social Work
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to understand the relationship between poverty and crime, and what role poverty plays in relation to traditional crime from the perspective of ex-criminals. Eight semi-structured life story interviews were conducted in the southern county of Skane, with recently desisted and rehabilitated men. The age span was broad, ranging from 32 to 63 years of age. All interviewees are or have been active in the non-governmental organisations KRIS, RFHL and X-Cons. The analysis has incorporated the theories of recognition by Honneth, Goffman’s stigma and Scheffs theory of shame and also narrative theory. The main findings show how poverty has expressed and manifested itself in different phases of the criminal life course.... (More)
The purpose of this study was to understand the relationship between poverty and crime, and what role poverty plays in relation to traditional crime from the perspective of ex-criminals. Eight semi-structured life story interviews were conducted in the southern county of Skane, with recently desisted and rehabilitated men. The age span was broad, ranging from 32 to 63 years of age. All interviewees are or have been active in the non-governmental organisations KRIS, RFHL and X-Cons. The analysis has incorporated the theories of recognition by Honneth, Goffman’s stigma and Scheffs theory of shame and also narrative theory. The main findings show how poverty has expressed and manifested itself in different phases of the criminal life course. Critical steps in relation to the criminal career, such as entering into and desisting from crime along with related identity (re)construction, are interpreted as struggles for recognition. The relational dimensions of poverty have been particularly demanding and have impacted social costs hindering the development toward a respectable social position. A central theme in the men’s life stories was that they actively reconstruct their moral identities in the desistance process, which also is discussed as part of a struggle for recognition. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Govender, Lagunathan LU
supervisor
organization
alternative title
The Cost of Recognition – About the Meaning of Poverty in Ex-Criminals' Life Stories
course
SOAM21 20161
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
Crime, poverty, life story, identity, recognition
language
Swedish
id
8890424
date added to LUP
2016-09-02 13:22:56
date last changed
2016-09-08 14:27:32
@misc{8890424,
  abstract     = {{The purpose of this study was to understand the relationship between poverty and crime, and what role poverty plays in relation to traditional crime from the perspective of ex-criminals. Eight semi-structured life story interviews were conducted in the southern county of Skane, with recently desisted and rehabilitated men. The age span was broad, ranging from 32 to 63 years of age. All interviewees are or have been active in the non-governmental organisations KRIS, RFHL and X-Cons. The analysis has incorporated the theories of recognition by Honneth, Goffman’s stigma and Scheffs theory of shame and also narrative theory. The main findings show how poverty has expressed and manifested itself in different phases of the criminal life course. Critical steps in relation to the criminal career, such as entering into and desisting from crime along with related identity (re)construction, are interpreted as struggles for recognition. The relational dimensions of poverty have been particularly demanding and have impacted social costs hindering the development toward a respectable social position. A central theme in the men’s life stories was that they actively reconstruct their moral identities in the desistance process, which also is discussed as part of a struggle for recognition.}},
  author       = {{Govender, Lagunathan}},
  language     = {{swe}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Erkännandets pris - om betydelsen av fattigdom i före detta kriminellas livsberättelser}},
  year         = {{2016}},
}