Poverty and Social Exclusion During and After Poland's Transition to Capitalism ─ Four Generations of Women in a Post-industrial City Tell Their Life Stories

This book is about poverty in Poland during the transition to capitalism and in the decade that followed as documented in the life courses of women living in the disadvantaged neighborhoods in the post-industrial city. The authors analyze the life histories of four generations of women. The oldest are former workers in state-owned factories in which they worked until retirement and who used to be the leaders of the female working class during the socialist period. Their daughters, granddaughters, and great-granddaughters became redundant on the capitalist labor market and survived on social benefits. The book goes beyond the feminization of poverty as traditionally considered in monetary terms. It searches for the causes that drive and maintain poverty that are embedded in changes in industrial relations, welfare regimes, and family structures and relations. It also discusses women' efforts and capabilities to cope with disadvantages.

Paulina Bunio-Mroczek is assistant professor in the department of applied sociology and social work at the Institute of Sociology of the University of Lodz.

Malgorzata Potoczna is assistant professor in the department of applied sociology and social work at the Institute of Sociology of the University of Lodz.

Wielislawa Warzywoda-Kruszynska is full professor of sociology at the University of Lodz. The director of the Institute of Sociology for 16 years, she also chaired the department of general sociology and the department of applied sociology and social work.