Life Stories of the Economic Recession: Biographical Narrative Interpretative Method (BNIM) and the Lived Experience of Disability in Times of Austerity

Susan Flynn

doi:10.16993/sjdr.594

Abstract

In 2008, Ireland was impacted by global economic recession. Recession in Ireland was exceptionally severe and contrasted starkly to extraordinary prosperity immediately before. A comprehensive field of statistical data has since emerged indicating that children were particularly socio-economically impacted. Within this, children with disability and their families were shown to have been at heightened risk. This paper presents research findings of a Biographical Narrative Interpretative Method that addressed the lack of qualitative research on the lived experience of disability in Ireland during recession. It presents three life stories of a young person with intellectual disability, his mother, and a social worker in their affiliated disability service. A theoretical reading of the cases through an affirmative non-tragedy lens and then from within an overarching critical disability studies perspective follows. Among the conclusions is that better measures to safeguard the lived experience of disability in future capitalist crises are obligatory.

Highlights

Ireland presents an exceptional case of instability in social and macroeconomic conditions that is valuable for social science investigation
Ireland was the first EU country to be officially declared in recession in 2008 and the second EU country to endure a structural adjustment programme imposed by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the European Central Bank (ECB), and the European Union (EU) (Allen 2009; Barry & Conroy 2012)
Flynn (2017) outlines that, in this context, it was already established that socio-economic disadvantage is more pronounced for children with intellectual disability than their non-disabled peers, as they are more likely to fall into poverty and be unable to gain release from its effects (Emerson et al 2010)

Summary

Introduction

Ireland presents an exceptional case of instability in social and macroeconomic conditions that is valuable for social science investigation. It became apparent that children had experienced particular socio-economic disadvantage (Flynn 2017a; UNICEF 2013). National longitudinal research found that children’s economic vulnerability post-recession was a ‘pervasive phenomenon’ (Watson et al 2014: 9). Both income poverty and material deprivation rates were increased for children more than for adults, both prior to (2004) and following the recession (2012) (Nolan & Maitre 2017; Watson et al 2014). Both income poverty and material deprivation rates were increased for children more than for adults, both prior to (2004) and following the recession (2012) (Nolan & Maitre 2017; Watson et al 2014). Flynn (2017) outlines that, in this context, it was already established that socio-economic disadvantage is more pronounced for children with intellectual disability than their non-disabled peers, as they are more likely to fall into poverty and be unable to gain release from its effects (Emerson et al 2010)

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Conclusion