La prospettiva dei beneficiari. Accesso e (auto)rappresentazioni

The chapter focuses on two main issues: becoming a beneficiary and the identity dimension related to the status of a recipient of a minimum income scheme, paying particular attention to the dimension of (self-)representation, strategies and pitfalls. The first part of the chapter analyses the factors and conditions that lead to the decision to turn to public assistance and apply for income support. The second part of the chapter deals with the construction of the beneficiary identity through three thematic foci. The chapter consists of an introductory section, which serves to frame the academic debate on the issues addressed, followed by a central body of analysis organised along conceptual lines, and concluding with a discussion section, which puts the empirical findings in dialogue with the debate.