Neighbours
The Work of Philip Abrams

First published in 1986, Neighbours is a study in both sociology and social policy.

Martin Bulmer (Author)

9780521312967, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 27 February 1986

302 pages
22.9 x 15.2 x 1.7 cm, 0.45 kg

Review of the hardback: 'There is much good sense, sociological insight and informative ethnography in this study and neighbours deserves to be widely read.' New Society

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.

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 formal and informal care
Conclusion: 12. Neighbours and neighbourhood care: a forward look
Appendix
Bibliography
Index.

Subject Areas: Sociology & anthropology [JH]