Wright, KJ (2015) Lived realities of local community: Evidence from a qualitative case study in Leeds. Social Policy and Society, 14 (4). pp. 555-568. ISSN 1474-7464
Abstract
This article draws on case study research of a low-income neighbourhood in Leeds to explore experiences of and attitudes towards place-based community. Through tracing social relations in the neighbourhood over time, from the early twentieth century to the present day, the ways in which community is embedded in everyday activities and social interactions, and the social impact of socioeconomic change on local neighbourhoods, is demonstrated. It is argued that the relentless and nostalgic focus on local communities as an idealised form of social solidarity has meant that the reasons why place based community has declined over time have been overlooked. The article challenges the assumption that social fragmentation on neighbourhood levels necessarily indicates antisocial trends or a lack of a sense of duty towards others, and draws attention to the constraints people face in developing relationships with others. Questions are raised about the viability of top-down attempts to shape social relations in particular ways.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2015, Cambridge University Press. This is an author produced version of a paper published in Social Policy and Society. Uploaded in accordance with the publisher's self-archiving policy. |
Keywords: | Community; neighbourhood; participation; relationships; place |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Leeds |
Academic Units: | The University of Leeds > Faculty of Education, Social Sciences and Law (Leeds) > School of Sociology and Social Policy (Leeds) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Publications |
Date Deposited: | 12 Jan 2015 12:59 |
Last Modified: | 22 Apr 2016 10:48 |
Published Version: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S147474641400061X |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Cambridge University Press |
Refereed: | Yes |
Identification Number: | 10.1017/S147474641400061X |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:82402 |