13 March 2025
Dr. Flávio Eiró, Assistant professor in the Social and Cultural Anthropology Department, was featured in a media article and published an opinion piece, both in Folha de S.Paulo, the largest newspaper in Brazil.
Both articles address the growing phenomenon of "bets" in Brazil and the subsequent attempts by Congress members to regulate welfare recipients' betting activities. In addition to the patronising tone, Dr. Eiró highlights the dangers of such attempts, revealing how they reinforce stereotypes of the poor as irrational and irresponsible. His critical commentary advocates for fair regulation of the betting industry that does not unjustly target welfare recipients.
The interview and invitation to write the opinion piece stem from Dr. Eiró's work on cash transfers, notably his book The Politics of Poverty (Etnografica Press, in Portuguese and French).