SELF-RELIANCE FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE BENEFICIARIES AND SOCIAL WORKERS: A FOUCAULDIAN DISCOURSE ANALYSIS

Abstract

Self-reliance is a value integral in Singapore’s policies and identity of citizens. Singapore’s dominant discourse of self-reliance lies in the individual’s ability to be financially independent and support one’s family through means of work, without the need to rely on formal financial assistance. However, following changes in the portrayal of self-reliance in the recent years and the lack of research around discourses outside of the dominant discourse, this research aims to explore the meaning of self-reliance and how self-reliance can be achieved as discoursed by financial assistance beneficiaries and social workers. Six financial assistance beneficiaries and six social workers were interviewed through a one-to-one semi-structured interview. Foucauldian Discourse Analysis was used to analyse the data from the interviews so as to account for power differentials and its implications. Findings from this research found that self-reliance was constructed as an outcome, process, and frame of mind. Self-reliance as an outcome aligned with notions of the dominant discourse, as being self-sufficient and not requiring external help. Self-reliance as a process was discursively constructed as seeking help when needed and putting in efforts to improve circumstances while receiving assistance. Lastly, self-reliance as a frame of mind was discursively constructed as a yearning and managing expectations towards receiving assistance. Achieving self-reliance was discoursed as an individual, community and systemic effort, including discursive constructions such as employment and skills-upgrading, moral support from the community, and understanding systemic barriers. The findings justified the need for the reconsideration of interventions towards financial assistance beneficiaries such as the use of asset-building to cope with iv economic and social shifts, provision of higher moral support, and higher emphasis on clinical social work to drive systemic changes. Further implications also include challenging the dominant discourse of self-reliance, and the need for social workers to practise reflexivity.