November 1, 2004

Profs New Book Examines The Role of Self-Employment In Helping Low-Income People Out of Poverty

A new book from State University of New York (SUNY) Press takes an in-depth look at how self-employment is being seen as a tool to lift low-income entrepreneurs out of poverty. Kitchen Capitalism: Microenterprise in Low-Income Households (276 pages, hardcover, $50), by Cynthia Sanders, Margaret Sherrard Sherraden and Michael Sherraden, systematically analyzes a range of issues, including who chooses to open a micro business and why, what resources they bring to the venture, how well the business fares and what contributes to the growth or decline of the business. The authors conclude that while not all microentrepreneurs do well enough to elevate themselves and their families above poverty, the rewards of self-employment reach well beyond simple economics. These include opportunities for personal growth and learning, autonomy and control, and various benefits to the family. Thus, the authors argue that microenterprise should be viewed as a social and economic development strategy rather than simply as an anti-poverty tool. Sanders is an assistant professor of social work at Boise State University. Her research interests focus on social policy and poverty, economic development with low-income women and economic security in low-income families. Sherraden is a professor of social work at the University of Missouri-St. Louis; her research is in the area of social and economic development, and poverty. Both Sanders and Sherraden are also affiliated with the Center for Social Development at Washington University in St. Louis. Sherraden is Benjamin E. Youngdahl Professor of Social Development and founding director of the Center for Social Development at Washington University-St. Louis. -30- Contact: Cynthia Sanders, Social Work, (208) 426-1780, cynthiasanders@boisestate.edu                                                                Media Contact: Kathleen Craven, communications and marketing, (208) 426-3275, kcraven@boisestate.edu