Reconfiguration of social policies in Brazil

This article offers a social and historical reflection on the role of assistance in the present state of democracy in Brazil, linking it to women's role within those new social policies. It analyzes the implementation of such policies at the local level in Sao Paulo, the country 's most dynamic metropolis. Starting from organizing the assistance field in Sao Paulo, this analysis investigates connections between the dilemmas that employees on the field are faced with while doing their work, as well as the importance of social mobility to understand the progress and limits of those new social policies. This article shows how access to employment, or even to a better social status, legitimize generalization of socially acceptable temporary work and justifiy institutionalized discrimination through inclusive public policies such as assistance.