[The vulnerability of women Francophone parent at risk of homelessness in a community in Northern Ontario].

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to examine the vulnerability of Francophone single mothers at risk of homelessness in Northern Ontario. The project also endeavoured to document the quest for autonomy of these women in a minority context.

METHOD: Employing a qualitative approach, eleven life stories were obtained from five women. Although none were homeless at the time of the interviews, in terms of living on the street, two were living with friends and the others were at risk of becoming homeless. All of the participants were between 20 and 59 years old and had completed their secondary education.

RESULTS

Taking into account their economic and social situation, as well as the participants' health and cultural resources, vulnerabilities throughout the life course were analyzed.

CONCLUSION

The life trajectory of these women showed us that their significant vulnerabilities are relative to the amount of autonomy they are able to secure through the services provided by supporting agencies, particularly in a linguistic minority context. In addition, the triple stigmatization (economic, linguistic and gender relations) requires a broader understanding of the resilience of these women in their journey from poverty (economic) to social (and linguistic) exclusion, and vulnerability. Despite these challenges, each of the individuals interviewed in this study, for whom the quest for autonomy is a continual struggle, demonstrated resilience.