Well-Intentioned, but Contradictory? A Narrative Analysis of the Impact of Neoliberal Policies on Student-Mothers

• In Event: Student Communities and Political Engagement

Abstract

Neoliberal policies - those emphasizing deregulation, individualism, and a turn away from the public good - continue to grow. Yet, legislation regulating the decisions of citizens has also increased, while the rise in neoliberal policies has resulted in a decrease in social services, both of which negatively impact the most vulnerable who often rely on such benefits. Although the main tenet of neoliberalism is decreased government involvement, results from this narrative study of low-income student-mothers indicate that these policies both create barriers to accessing higher education and facilitate unnecessary and unwanted government interference. Findings demonstrate a contradiction in the select implementation of neoliberal policies, suggesting that the state chooses when to embrace deregulation of the market versus regulation of low-income women’s lives.

Authors

• Danielle Vegas Lewis, University at Buffalo - SUNY

• Margaret W. Sallee, University at Buffalo - SUNY