What is the unit of analysis for livelihoods?
The SL framework and approach can be used at different levels. It can help promote understanding of the distinct livelihoods of individuals within a household. It can also be used to create a broad-brush characterisation of ‘community livelihoods’ within a larger area (though subsequent effort will be needed to understand patterns of differentiation within those communities). Many start their analysis by thinking about households. If this is the case, it is critical to ensure that intra-household issues (including gender and age differentiation) are understood and addressed and that the ‘picture’ of the household is rooted in an understanding of the wider environment (how different households relate to local authority structures, the impact on them of wider policy and legislation, etc.).
