Gender dimensions in research into over-indebtedness – deficits and perspectives
© Daimler und Benz Stiftung - ADragan
The Ladenburg Roundtable will systematically investigate the dimension of “gender” in situations of private over-indebtedness. From October 28-29, 2024, researchers will meet in Ladenburg to examine this topic from an interdisciplinary perspective and to develop strategies for the targeted support of consumers.
The challenges presented by private over-indebtedness are more complex than ever before. The crises of recent years have not only concentrated public attention on this issue, but have also considerably restricted the financial opportunities available to many consumers. For the first time, entirely new groups of society now have to contend with payment difficulties. Moreover, scientific knowledge of private over-indebtedness is lacking.
To date, the dimension of “gender” has not been given sufficiently systematic consideration when it comes to analyzing how situations of over-indebtedness arise and in what ways they are encountered and sustainably overcome. Financial burdens, which must definitely be taken into account in view of the unequal distribution of resources, care work, and gender-specific norms, increase the risk of over-indebtedness for women in particular. Gender-specific differences are also apparent in terms of coping strategies and preparedness to accept professional help, for example from debt counseling services.
The Ladenburg Roundtable “Gender Dimensions in Research into Over-indebtedness” sets out to answer the following questions from an interdisciplinary perspective: What specific challenges are women and men faced with in situations of financial crisis – and what different strategies of action do they develop? How do social norms and values influence the perception and handling of debt? And to what extent are existing structures and offers of support oriented toward the differing needs of men and women?
The Ladenburg Roundtable will discuss perspectives for research, networking, and knowledge transfer: The current status of research into the significance of gender within the context of over-indebtedness research will be examined and extended in an interdisciplinary manner. In addition, awareness of gender-specific aspects of over-indebtedness research is to be increased and joint publication and research projects initiated. Finally, the interplay of theory and practice should facilitate this transfer of knowledge and serve this project in order to develop approaches and strategies for the targeted support of consumers.
- Prof. Dr. Kerstin Herzog, RheinMain University of Applied Sciences, Faculty of Applied Social Sciences