Neighbours: The Work of Philip Abrams

Description

Neighbours is a study in both sociology and social policy. First published in 1986, this book, which presents and extends the work of the distinguished sociologist Philip Abrams (d. 1981), was the first major study of neighbours in Britain since the 1960s. It made an important contribution to urban sociological theory and to understanding actual patterns of neighbouring in widely different parts of England. Neighbourhood care - help for the elderly, infirm and sick by those who live near them - is potentially a very important kind of informal social care, and the second part of the book examines by means of ten detailed case studies the potential for neighbourhood care in contemporary Britain. A central philosophical chapter suggests that pure 'goodness of heart' is rarely a motive for helping others. Contents Preface Glossary: Places studied which are referred to in the text Introduction 1 Neighbours, neighbouring and neighbourhood care: the significance of the work of Philip Abrams Part I: Informal neighbouring 2 Defining the field 3 Making sense of neighbours and neighbouring 4 Neighbouring in six localities: the Street studies 5 The sociology of informal neighbouring Bridge 6 Altruism and reciprocity as sources of neighbouring and neighbourhood care Part II: Organised neighbourhood care 7 Neighbourhood care as a form of organised care 8 Ten Neighbourhood Care schemes 9 Ventures in neighbourhood care: the perspectives of Helpers and Clients 10 Limitations of neighbourhood care 11 The relationship between informal and formal care Conclusion 12 Neighbours and neighbourhood care: a forward look Appendix The methodology of studying six streets and ten neighbourhood care schemes Bibliography Index