Exploring informal support networks amongst Pakistani Muslims in deprived areas of Sheffield

This thesis aims to explore the extent, rationales and utilisation of informal support networks amongst Pakistani Muslims living in deprived areas of Sheffield. Historical data show that the early Pakistani migrants that came to Britain, engaged in informal support with fellow migrants. Due to the structural constraints that they experienced upon arrival, migrants collectively shared and pooled their financial resources. There is evidence to suggest that these practices have continued and that Pakistani communities in general, actively engage in mutual aid within their social networks. However, little is known about the motivations for this or how extensive this activity is in Britain. Building upon this knowledge is of great importance since Pakistanis are one of the most likely ethnic groups in the UK to be at high risk of poverty. This thesis seeks to address a gap in knowledge surrounding the coping strategies used by this group and any associated benefits in the current socio-economic climate. This thesis acknowledges that different ethnic groups experience poverty and deprivation in different ways and responds to the need for a more holistic approach to empirical research with deprived populations. As such, the thesis moves beyond the view that deprived populations are a homogenous group leaning on state support or emergency food banks to get by. It challenges the tendency to measure poverty by household income, highlighting the important role of extensive kinship networks amongst Pakistanis in Britain and the additional resources these provide. In doing so, the thesis highlights nuances surrounding ethnicity, culture and religion and why these must be considered. The research data are drawn from semi-structured interviews with 24 Pakistani Muslim men and women and is supported by a focus group which comprised of six Pakistani Muslim ‘working mothers’. Participants lived in tight-knit communities where collective action is prevalent along with an inter-dependency upon others to provide support. ...