الملخص الإنجليزي
The current study aims at identifying the mechanisms, which the
low-income families use in coping with financial crises. It also aims at
finding out the socioeconomic characteristics of these families. In
addition, it aims at uncovering the sources of social solidarity in the
context of the adaptation process to financial crises. The study moreover
aims at identifying the measures taken by the government to reduce or
limit the negative consequences of the financial crises on families.
The study makes use of the analytical descriptive method, relying
on the methodology of integration between quantitative or qualitative
analyses. A non-probability sample was selected, mainly for the lack of
sampling frame. It included 75 families, which receive temporary
financial aid according to regulations of the Governorate of Muscat. A
structured-interview questionnaire was used in collecting the field data,
including a considerable number of quantitative and qualitative questions.
The field study yielded several findings, most notably:
• The average size of the low-income families represented by the sample
is 7.36 individuals, as nuclear-family type dominates the majority of
these families. However, the findings show that the highest income for
families in the sample ranges between 500 and 699 Omani Rials and that
78% of the families in the sample depend on monthly salaries as main
source of income. Most of the families in the sample dwell an Arab style house.
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• Some spending rationalization mechanisms, which allow the low income families to bypass the financial crises that they may face, show
up. These mechanisms include negotiating prices with vendors and
merchants, using cars only when necessary, reducing trips as much as
possible, and being satisfied with certain types and amounts of
vegetables, fruits and other foodstuffs.
• Many families follow self-management mechanisms that help them
overcome the financial crises they face. These include avoiding familial
gatherings, which put pressure on them financially, buying clothes only
during holidays (Eids), and looking for ways to increase their income
through additional work.
• Social solidarity helps the low-income families to overcome their
financial problems, as these families resort to borrowing from parents
when they are in urgent need of money more than they resort to
borrowing from friends, government institutions or charitable agencies.
The study ended with presenting some suggestions and
implementation mechanisms, the most important of which are: (1) to
formulate a clear definition of low-income families by means of their
characteristics, conditions and criteria. (2) To determine an income ceiling
through a scientific study carried out by a scientific entity, taking into
account the reconsideration of the income ceiling on a regular basis
according to the living conditions and the market instability. (3) To
establish a special database for low-income families and to count their
numbers, after proving their status in accordance with social research
criteria. (4) To update these information and data periodically.
