Beth and Doug

Beth and Doug appear to be a loving couple raising their three children together and doing many activities as a family. Neither parent works in a regular job, although both have had seasonal and part-time low skill employment. They are fortunate to have a relative, Beth's brother, who contributes significantly to their support system by taking their children on outings, taxiing them to after school and weekend activities and buying them gifts.

Beth and Doug grew up in large families. Beth described her family as very dysfunctional. She had been doing well in school when she was a child, until she got ill one year and missed some time. When she had to repeat the grade, problems arose and she lost her interest in education. Beth has helped a friend deliver newspapers in her area and used her organization and public relations skills to volunteer in a political candidate's campaign. This involvement with one of the political parties has helped her to secure paid positions at the polls during the elections.

Doug suffers from a number of chronic health issues and learning problems. He dropped out of school after being teased and not getting the help he needed. Of all of the participants in the study, Doug is the most eager to work. However, with limited education and chronic health problems, he gets little employment aside from working occasionally at a coat check or taking tickets for special events at a recreational centre.