Stigma and Social Support on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program delves into the daily complex lives of individuals on the program and the hardships the program has on participants. The author provides examples of experiencing stigmatization while on SNAP and possible methods to help improve, or lessen, the stigma with the use of positive social support. The chapters include the author's personal experiences on SNAP, factors influencing enrollment, overall views of the program, stigma, disclosure concerns of enrollment, social support, and implications from the findings. Chapters addressing statistical findings and theory application are also included. Stigma and Social Support on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program provides an in-depth view on the themes of stigma while enrolled in SNAP such as embarrassment, feelings of failure, fear of being perceived as lazy, and feelings of judgment. This book serves as a useful tool for researchers of stigma and welfare programs, as well as for policy makers to improve aspects of the program that are causing some of the most vulnerable populations such as typically unrepresented and exploited groups (e.g., immigrants, migrant/temporary workers, and racial/ethnic minorities) to feel more stigmatized than other groups.
Laura Blount Carper is instructor at Louisiana Tech University.
List of Figures List of Tables Acknowledgments Chapter 1: My Experiences with SNAP Chapter 2: Factors Influencing SNAP Enrollment Chapter 3: Bringing Everything Together: Theory Application Chapter 4: Summary of Study Findings Chapter 5: General Views of SNAP Themes Chapter 6: Stigma and SNAP Enrollment Chapter 7: Disclosing SNAP Enrollment Concerns Chapter 8: Social Support from Family and Friends and SNAP Enrollment Chapter 9: Factors that Influence Enrollment and Implications from Findings Bibliography Appendix About the Author
In the United States, being poor is stigmatized. Even more highly stigmatized is taking advantage of programs that were designed to help reduce the consequences of living in poverty. Dr. Carper's research will be beneficial to service providers and policy makers as they consider how best to encourage those who qualify for such assistance to take advantage of these programs. -- Loretta L. Pecchioni, Louisiana State University
