Abstract

Social inclusion – Evidence based policies for vulnerable youth and families

Social exclusion is not only an individual problem for those affected by the
phenomenon but a challenge for society and politic to either deal with the effects,
influence the dimension or prevent the occurrence of social exclusion.
This paper reflects the situation of juveniles in Austria regarding their exclusion from
society, and possible political means to improve the situation. Here social exclusion
is understood as a broader concept than poverty; different factors – like
unemployment, single parenthood, low household income or big families – may lead
to or influence the degree of exclusion of individuals or families.
Based on statistical data on these different factors on the one hand and on the
analysis of cultural expressions of social exclusion on the other hand this articles
explores the differences of perception of social exclusion from different points of
view. What are seen as the main excluding factors and how is exclusion
experienced? Furthermore the personal way of dealing with the challenges of social
exclusion is in the focus of this analysis. These questions are faced with both
quantitative and qualitative approaches addressing juveniles, adults, whole families,
teachers, social workers and experts to provide the data needed for evidence based
policy.
Out of these results possible political reaction, interventions of welfare work and
responses of the civil society and of are discussed.

Marina Hahn-Bleibtreu (BMWFJ)

Manfred Zentner (jugendkultur.at)