Solidariteit in Amsterdam. Steunverlening in het begin van de twintigste eeuw

Samenvatting

Solidarity in Amsterdam. Poor Relief in the Beginning of the Twentieth Century. At the turn of the century, poor residents of Amsterdam, Netherlands, sought assistance from their families, churches, relief societies, and the city government. To investigate the dynamics of this situation, dossiers compiled on 171 poor people, 1895-1912, were analyzed, including petitions for assistance and reports by visitors on the petitioner's financial and family circumstances. Letters from the impoverished provide insights into their perception of their condition and its causes. Many elderly parents expressed dismay about being financially dependent on their children. The city maintained that the poor had to meet certain requirements to receive help. The sick, elderly, and women who had to earn their own living were favored by the city; however, most unemployed people were held to be responsible for their own destitution. Thus, the jobless received the least support from the city as well as from their own families. 2 Tables, 13 References. Adapted from the source document.