Becoming a Good Welfare Manager: Paternalistic Oppressive Othering and Neoliberal Boundary Maintenance. Issue 4 (2nd October 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Taylor, Tiffany; Gross, Christi L.; Turgeon, Brianna
• Is Part Of: Sociological focus. Volume 51:Issue 4(2018)
• Page Start: 335
• Page End: 349
• Publication Date: 2018-10-02
• Subjects: Social sciences -- Periodicals; Sociology -- Periodicals; 301.05
• DOI: 10.1080/00380237.2018.1452516
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0038-0237

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Using data from telephone interviews with 69 county welfare-to-work program managers in Ohio, we examine how individuals rely on paternalism and neoliberal ideology to construct themselves as "good workers" through two processes of identity work: oppressive othering and boundary maintenance. Program managers construct themselves as good workers through a process we call "paternalistic oppressive othering" in which managers draw on the dominant oppressive ideology of paternalism to present themselves as helpful. We also find managers draw on neoliberal ideology to legitimate the program and their work through a process we call "neoliberal boundary maintenance."