Aspects of categorization of families in Lithuania

• Academia: straipsnio tekstas

ENThere are families that struggle with problems such as child neglect, alcoholism, unemployment, poverty, crime, drugs etc. These families are categorized as families at social risk. The study focuses on how families experience the category social risk family. The aim of the article is to explore social workers’ approaches concerning the impact of the category social risk family on families‘ everyday life. The qualitative analysis is based on interviews with 6 social workers in Social services centre of one region in Lithuania.The findings show the category social risk family has a great impact on families as it forms negative attitudes towards such families in society. Families are usually condemned for their way of life and behaviour, and are also underestimated and serviced, or even threatened. Keywords: family, family at social risk, categorization, social work. [From the publication]