The concept of stigma with special reference to the unmarried mother : a social policy and administration approach.

The concept of stigma is examined in three parts in this thesis. In part one attention is given to the anatomy of stigma (chapter one) and the social administration approach to stigma (chapter two). In the first of these chapters distinctions are drawn between the various aspects of stigma (e.g. stigmas, stigmatization, felt stigma), whilst in the second the theoretical developments and 'practical' applications of the term in the field of social policy is considered. It is contended that the failure (in general) to give sufficient attention to the concept of stigma in its own right is a major weakness of the social administration approach to this phenomenon. The need for more extensive examinations of the concept of stigma within this area of study is highlighted in part two (chapters three and four) which is devoted to a case study of one particular stigmatized 'welfare' group - unmarried mothers. In chapter three it is asserted that stigma has attached to the unmarried mother for two main reasons - (i) the threat this group pose to Christian teaching and practice and, more importantly, (ii) their dependency on public aid. In chapter four the findings from a small survey on felt stigma and the unmarried mother are presented. It was found that respondents in this survey had relatively few experiences of either felt stigma or stigmatization. However, there was sufficient evidence to suggest that it would be premature to conclude that the stigma attaching to this group has now all but withered away. Finally, in part three (chapter five) the various links between stigma and other concepts (most notably social control) commonly referred to in discussions of social policy are explored. It is concluded that stigma will continue to be a key concept for students, teachers and practitioners in social policy provided that it is examined from a much wider perspective than has previously been the case.