The Life Course A Sociological Introduction

by Hunt, Stephen J.

• ISBN13: 9781403914705
• ISBN10: 1403914702
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2005-03-02
• Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan

Summary

Rapid and far-reaching social transformation in Western society over the last few decades has prompted considerable interest in the life course. This accessible and informative text provides a substantive overview to the topic, combining contemporary and more traditional perspectives. Tracing the different stages of the life course through infancy and youth to old age and dying, the book considers what is distinct about a sociological approach to the life course and explores recent debates and changing theoretical perspectives in the context of biological, psychological and social influences.

Author Biography

Stephen Hunt is Senior Lecturer/Researcher in Sociology at the University of the West of England. He is a referee for the British Journal of Sociology, the Journal of Contemporary Religion and Humour. He is also on the editorial board for Pentecostudies. His publications include Religion in Western Society, Alternative Religion, and Anyone for Alpha?

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements	viii
Introduction	1	(6)
1 Theoretical Accounts of the Life Course	7	(26)
The Sociological Enterprise and the Life Course	7	(3)
The Life-Cycle: Biological and Psychological Approaches	10	(3)
Sociology and the Life-Cycle Approach	13	(9)
The Life Course: Developing Approaches	22	(9)
Summary	31	(1)
Further Reading	32	(1)
2 Social Differentiation and Determinants of the Life Course	33	(24)
The Perseverance of Social Categories and Inequalities: Age	34	(2)
Demographic Change and Intergenerational Conflict	36	(2)
Age Disadvantages	38	(2)
Social Class	40	(2)
Gender	42	(3)
'Race' and Ethnicity	45	(3)
Late- or Postmodernity: Life Chances, Lifestyles, and the Consumer Society	48	(3)
The 'Problem' of Identity and the Construction of Self	51	(3)
Summary	54	(2)
Further Reading	56	(1)
3 Reproduction, Infancy, and Parenting	57	(27)
Pregnancy and Childbirth	57	(2)
The Medicalization of Motherhood	59	(5)
Parenting	64	(6)
Motherhood	70	(6)
Fatherhood	76	(6)
Summary	82	(1)
Further Reading	83	(1)
4 Childhood: Issues and Perspectives	84	(19)
Childhood: From Modernity to Postmodernity	84	(6)
Discontinuities in Childhood: The Consequences of Divorce	90	(4)
Childhood and Formal Education	94	(7)
Summary	101	(1)
Further Reading	102	(1)
5 Contemporary Youth	103	(23)
'Youth' as a Modern Invention	103	(2)
Youth in Postmodernity	105	(1)
Youth Subcultures	106	(5)
Gender and Ethnic Youth Cultures - Variations on a Theme	111	(4)
Youth and Deviance	115	(3)
The 'Burden' of Youth	118	(6)
Summary	124	(1)
Further Reading	125	(1)
6 Relationships, Sexualities, and Family Life	126	(21)
Friendship	127	(3)
Mate-Selection	130	(4)
Alternatives to Marriage	134	(3)
Marital Breakdown	137	(2)
Family Life	139	(4)
Problems in Family Life	143	(1)
Summary	144	(2)
Further Reading	146	(1)
7 Work, Leisure, and Consumption	147	(22)
Employment	147	(1)
Experiences of Employment: Work and Identity	148	(7)
Unemployment	155	(1)
The Repercussions of Unemployment	156	(3)
Work Satisfaction	159	(2)
Leisure	161	(3)
The Consumer Society	164	(3)
Summary	167	(1)
Further Reading	168	(1)
8 The Challenge of Mid-Life	169	(15)
Cross-Cultural Perspectives	170	(1)
The Medicalization of Mid-Life	171	(3)
The Social Construction of Mid-Life 'Crisis'	174	(3)
Mid-Life Identity	177	(4)
The 'New' Mid-Life	181	(2)
Summary	183	(1)
Further Reading	183	(1)
9 Ageing, Old Age, and Death	184	(31)
The Ageing Process	184	(4)
Retirement	188	(4)
The Third Age	192	(2)
The Self in Old Age	194	(3)
Social Networks of the Elderly	197	(2)
The Perseverance of Inequalities in Old Age	199	(3)
The 'Very Old'	202	(2)
Death and Dying	204	(1)
The Social Significance of Death	205	(5)
Mourning and After-Life Beliefs	210	(3)
Summary	213	(1)
Further Reading	214	(1)
Glossary of Terms	215	(2)
References	217	(8)
Index	225