I significati del denaro

Money is commonly considered a neutral medium of exchange, but it can also hold significant social and symbolic value in everyday life (Daly, 2017). Research often focuses on its quantitative characteristics and instrumental utility (Zelizer, 1989), but it is important to acknowledge its broader cultural and social implications. For low-income social groups, the focus is often limited to the quantitative dimension, assuming that in situations of socio-economic disadvantage, only the instrumental dimension should be considered. However, it has been pointed out by other research that the utilitarian approach has its limits. Bergamaschi and Musarò (2011) emphasise the importance of understanding the relationship between money and the residual agency of people living in poverty, while Daly (2017) highlights the relationship between money and social relations. This chapter focuses on these aspects from the perspectives of both beneficiaries and social workers, within a composite framework that considers the specificities of the different positions involved.