ABSTRACT

This study examines the relational dynamics of low-income mothers’ involvement in kin networks at the intersection of familism and individualism. Drawing on in-depth interviews in Israel, it identifies four patterns. Two consist of high involvement and good relationships, with one based on generalized and the other on balanced reciprocity. These patterns characterized the few mothers who had more resourceful networks and a stable source of income. However, the two most prevalent patterns consist of low involvement and conflictual relationships. Mothers who experienced exclusion found it difficult to deal with competing expectations and felt highly frustrated with kin. By contrast, mothers who described withdrawal appear to have given up on the ideal of familism and opted for individualistic values instead.

摘要

这项研究考察了低收入母亲在家族主义和个人主义交集下参与亲属网络的关系动态。通过对以色列的深入采访，它确定了四种模式。两项包括高度参与和良好的关系，一种基于普遍性，另一种基于平衡的互惠性。这些模式的特点是少数几位母亲拥有更多的足智多谋的网络和稳定的收入来源。但是，两个最普遍的模式是低参与度和冲突关系。遭受排斥的母亲发现难以应对竞争的期望，并对亲戚感到非常沮丧。相比之下，描述戒断的母亲 似乎已经放弃了家族主义的理想，而是选择了个人主义的价值观。