Title Page for ETD 716

Author Name Slack, Timothy A.

Graduate Program Rural Sociology

Degree Doctor of Philosophy

Document Type Dissertation

Date of Defense 2004-07-22

Committee
Leif Jensen, Committee Chair
Diane K. McLaughlin, Committee Member
Carolyn Sachs, Committee Member
George Farkas, Committee Member

Availability Open Access

Title Work, Welfare, and the Informal Economy: An Examination of Family Livelihood Strategies

Abstract
In recent decades Americans have witnessed profound changes in the nature of work and the structure of the labor market. The economic uncertainties and dislocation of the current period have led many to question not only the changing relationship between formal work and economic well-being, but also the role of informal economic activities in advanced capitalist economies. These questions are particularly pertinent for those living in rural areas where working poverty has long been more prevalent and the social relations that foster informal economic activities are thought to be more widespread. This research pursues two separate but related lines of inquiry to shed light on these issues. First, drawing on nationally representative cross-sectional data this study assesses the changing relationship between formal employment and family economic well-being between 1980 and 2000, paying special attention to the differences between metro and nonmetro areas. Second, drawing on a combination of interview and survey data, this study provides a broader examination of family livelihood strategies in the context of nonmetro Pennsylvania, including participation in the informal economy. This research shows a rise in working poverty, and a steady convergence between metro and nonmetro areas in this regard over the last 20 years. Further, this research shows a distinct disadvantage suffered by nonstandard workers in nonmetro areas. This research also shows that participation in the informal economy is a widespread component of family livelihood strategies and explores important correlates of informal economic activity.

Keywords
rural poverty
livelihood strategies
informal economy

Files
slack_dissertation.pdf - (1,023,403 bytes)

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Author Name	Slack, Timothy A.
Graduate Program	Rural Sociology
Degree	Doctor of Philosophy
Document Type	Dissertation
Date of Defense	2004-07-22
Committee	Leif Jensen, Committee Chair Diane K. McLaughlin, Committee Member Carolyn Sachs, Committee Member George Farkas, Committee Member
Availability	Open Access
Title	Work, Welfare, and the Informal Economy: An Examination of Family Livelihood Strategies
Abstract	In recent decades Americans have witnessed profound changes in the nature of work and the structure of the labor market. The economic uncertainties and dislocation of the current period have led many to question not only the changing relationship between formal work and economic well-being, but also the role of informal economic activities in advanced capitalist economies. These questions are particularly pertinent for those living in rural areas where working poverty has long been more prevalent and the social relations that foster informal economic activities are thought to be more widespread. This research pursues two separate but related lines of inquiry to shed light on these issues. First, drawing on nationally representative cross-sectional data this study assesses the changing relationship between formal employment and family economic well-being between 1980 and 2000, paying special attention to the differences between metro and nonmetro areas. Second, drawing on a combination of interview and survey data, this study provides a broader examination of family livelihood strategies in the context of nonmetro Pennsylvania, including participation in the informal economy. This research shows a rise in working poverty, and a steady convergence between metro and nonmetro areas in this regard over the last 20 years. Further, this research shows a distinct disadvantage suffered by nonstandard workers in nonmetro areas. This research also shows that participation in the informal economy is a widespread component of family livelihood strategies and explores important correlates of informal economic activity.
Keywords	rural poverty livelihood strategies informal economy
Files	slack_dissertation.pdf - (1,023,403 bytes)