Covering an increasingly important topic in sociology, this book is a thorough and lively introduction to the role and importance of age in contemporary British society.The first two chapters introduce the reader to thinking about age from a sociological perspective. Asking the question `What is age?' and then guiding the reader through the main theoretical approaches to its sociological study.The core of the book represents the latest information on each of the major age divisions in Britain: childhood; youth; adulthood; later life and old age. The book compares the role of age in Britain today with different cultures and periods in history, as well as assessing the importance and influence of biology, biography, gender, ethnicity, and class.A special feature of the book is the way it pays close attention to the increasingly important notion of `generation' in explaining British social structure and behaviour. It looks at the way belonging to different `generations' creates identities and shapes relationships within families and across society.The book will be an invaluable introduction and point of reference for students of sociology, human geography, and social policy, as well as professionals and trainees in the caring professions.The Oxford Modern Britain series comprises authoritative introductory books on all aspects of the social structure of modern Britain. Lively and accessible, the books will be the first point of reference fo They will be invaluable to those taking courses in the Social Sciences.Series Editor: Professor John Scott, Department of Sociology, University of Essex

Covering an increasingly important topic in sociology, this book is a thorough and lively introduction to the role and importance of age in contemporary British society.The first two chapters introduce the reader to thinking about age from a sociological perspective. Asking the question `What is age?' and then guiding the reader through the main theoretical approaches to its sociological study.The core of the book represents the latest information on each of the major age divisions in Britain: childhood; youth; adulthood; later life and old age. The book compares the role of age in Britain today with different cultures and periods in history, as well as assessing the importance and influence of biology, biography, gender, ethnicity, and class.A special feature of the book is the way it pays close attention to the increasingly important notion of `generation' in explaining British social structure and behaviour. It looks at the way belonging to different `generations' creates identities and shapes relationships within families and across society.The book will be an invaluable introduction and point of reference for students of sociology, human geography, and social policy, as well as professionals and trainees in the caring professions.The Oxford Modern Britain series comprises authoritative introductory books on all aspects of the social structure of modern Britain. Lively and accessible, the books will be the first point of reference fo They will be invaluable to those taking courses in the Social Sciences.Series Editor: Professor John Scott, Department of Sociology, University of Essex

Covering a key topic in nearly every sociology course, this book is a thorough and lively introduction to the role and importance of youth and employment in contemporary British society.The book looks at the momentous changes that have occurred in the nature of youth employment in recent years. Examining the range of young people's experience of employment and unemployment, Professor Roberts highlights the importance of class, gender, ethnic divisions, and geography in explaining these differences. He assesses the huge impact of educational changes on the patterns of youth employment, and compares the British experience with the rest of Europe.The book will be an invaluable introduction and point of reference for students of sociology, human geography, and economics.The Oxford Modern Britain series comprises authoritative introductory books on all aspects of the social structure of modern Britain. Lively and accessible, the books will be the first point of reference for anyone interested in the state of contemporary Britain. They will be invaluable to those taking courses in the Social Sciences.Series Editor: Professor John Scott, Department of Sociology, University of Essex

Nickie Charles discusses theoretical developments in the sociological study of gender, providing an overview of how conceptual shifts have affected not only what is studied, which is itself changing, but also how it is studied and the questions that are asked. The empirical areas that provide the focus of the book are paid employment, domestic labour, parenting, education, the 'crisis' of masculinity, sexuality, and politics. Although the book is centrally concerned with gender, attention is paid to other bases of inequality and social identities such as class, ethnicity, and sexuality. Throughout, the author engages with contemporary debates about the significance of changes in gender relations, showing that while there has been very real change in some areas of social life, in others there has been remarkable continuity. Finally, gender relations in Britain are situated in international context and linked to global social and economic processes and divisions of labour.This important new study of gender in modern Britain provides a succinct and clearly written textbook for students on gender studies, women's studies, and sociology of gender courses.

The Oxford Modern Britain series comprises authoritative introductory books on all aspects of the social structure of modern Britain. Lively and accessible, the books will be the first points of reference for anyone interested in the state of contemporary Britain. They will be invaluable to those taking courses in the social sciences. This is an expanded second edition of a well-established introduction to the role and importance of race and ethnicity in contemporary British society, relevant to students of sociology and many other disciplines. All sections of the book have been revised to include the most recently available data. A new chapter has been added on the criminal justice system in the light of the Stephen Lawrence enquiry. In addition the sections on citizenship have been revised to take account of recent developments. The first chapters set out some of the key conceptual issues in the study of race and ethnicity in modern Britain. Subsequent chapters examine the historical background to migration and ethnic diversity. Drawing attention to a key distinction between difference and diversity, the book examines the interplay of inequality, citizenship, and public policy in a number of areas central to life in modern Britain, including: employment, education, housing, health, criminal justice and political representation. The book concludes with a look to the future to assess how a range of trends, including developments in the European Union, the resurgence of racism, and developing patterns of social mobility may pose challenges for the shape and direction of British society as it enters a new millennium.

Covering a key topic in both sociology and religious studies, this book is a thorough and lively introduction to the character and place of religion in contemporary British society.A brief introduction places the major British churches in their historical context and explains our curious combination of religious freedom and state-supported churches. Subsequent chapters examine a wide array of evidence on the influence and popularity of the churches, and on religious beliefs and behaviour, and document the following trends: the decline in the mainstream churches; a shift to the `sectarian' right in Protestantism; the rise of non-Christian ethnic minority religions; and increasing interest in the occult and New Age spirituality. Particular attention is given to the issue of what sort of people remain religious and how their religious beliefs affect their lives.Throughout the book, Britain's religious life is compared with that of other European societies and the final chapter shows how recent changes can be understood as a response to fundamental features of modern industrial democracies.The book will be an invaluable introduction and point of reference for students of the social sciences and religious studies.The Oxford Modern Britain series comprises authoritative introductory books on all aspects of the social structure of modern Britain. Lively and accessible, the books will be the first point of reference for anyone interested in the state of contemporary Britain. They will be invaluable to those taking courses in the social sciences.

The latest in the successful Oxford Modern Britain series, Women and Work in Modern Britain provides a highly accessible introduction to this important topic. Rosemary Crompton gives a full account of the recent changes in the structure of women's employment, incorporating a comprehensive review of the theoretical concepts and arguments developed to explain them. Discussing the pattern of women's paid employment from the standpoint of both constraint and individual choice, the author begins by examining the variety of explanations offered to understand the situation of women in work in twentieth-century Britain. In subsequent chapters she discusses the nature and extent of women's employment in Britain today; cross-national comparisons of the differential structuring of women's employment; women as employees; and the impact on the lives of both women and men of the changing employment/family interface and its implications for the wider structure of inequality and social polarization in Britain. Clearly and engagingly written, with useful chapter summaries highlighting key points and discussions, Women and Work in Modern Britain will be essential reading for students and teachers alike.

The Oxford Modern Britain series comprises authority introductory books on all aspects of the social structure of modern Britain. Lively and accessible, the books will be the first point of reference for anyone interested in the state of contemporary Britain. They will be invaluable to those taking courses in the social sciences. This volume has been developed for the large number of students studying the sociology of health and health care at an introductory level. It may also be read by nursing, medical students, and post-graduate public health students. Joan Busfield, well known for her expert and original work in the field, examines key issues affecting healthcare in contemporary Britain. These include: concepts and measures of health and illness; patterns of health and illness; changing health care provisions; explanations of health care systems; and a concluding analysis of current problems and prospects.

The Mass Media and Power in Britain is a thorough, lievely introduction to the role, importance, and power of the mass media in contemporary British society. What is the mass media, and how does it help shape life in modern Britain? After introducing the student to discussions around these questions, the authors examine the historical development of the mass media, issues of ownership, and the roots of its power in the public and political sphere. Contemporary questions surrounding todays media are also addressed. What is the role of the audience? How do people take pleasure from media culture? What are the issues surrounding the news, advertising, public services broadcasting, the shaping of public understanding, censorship, violence, and `moral panics'? The authors also look towards the future, considering prospects for a global media and the possible effects of the information superhighway. An invaluable introduction and point of reference for students of sociology, media studies, politics and human geography, The Mass Media and Power in Modern Britain will be essential reading for anyone interested in our mass media _

Covering an increasingly important topic in sociology, this book is a thorough and lively introduction to the role and importance of age in contemporary British society.The first two chapters introduce the reader to thinking about age from a sociological perspective. Asking the question `What is age?' and then guiding the reader through the main theoretical approaches to its sociological study.The core of the book represents the latest information on each of the major age divisions in Britain: childhood; youth; adulthood; later life and old age. The book compares the role of age in Britain today with different cultures and periods in history, as well as assessing the importance and influence of biology, biography, gender, ethnicity, and class.A special feature of the book is the way it pays close attention to the increasingly important notion of `generation' in explaining British social structure and behaviour. It looks at the way belonging to different `generations' creates identities and shapes relationships within families and across society.The book will be an invaluable introduction and point of reference for students of sociology, human geography, and social policy, as well as professionals and trainees in the caring professions.The Oxford Modern Britain series comprises authoritative introductory books on all aspects of the social structure of modern Britain. Lively and accessible, the books will be the first point of reference fo They will be invaluable to those taking courses in the Social Sciences.Series Editor: Professor John Scott, Department of Sociology, University of Essex

Covering an increasingly important topic in sociology, this book is a thorough and lively introduction to the role and importance of age in contemporary British society.The first two chapters introduce the reader to thinking about age from a sociological perspective. Asking the question `What is age?' and then guiding the reader through the main theoretical approaches to its sociological study.The core of the book represents the latest information on each of the major age divisions in Britain: childhood; youth; adulthood; later life and old age. The book compares the role of age in Britain today with different cultures and periods in history, as well as assessing the importance and influence of biology, biography, gender, ethnicity, and class.A special feature of the book is the way it pays close attention to the increasingly important notion of `generation' in explaining British social structure and behaviour. It looks at the way belonging to different `generations' creates identities and shapes relationships within families and across society.The book will be an invaluable introduction and point of reference for students of sociology, human geography, and social policy, as well as professionals and trainees in the caring professions.The Oxford Modern Britain series comprises authoritative introductory books on all aspects of the social structure of modern Britain. Lively and accessible, the books will be the first point of reference fo They will be invaluable to those taking courses in the Social Sciences.Series Editor: Professor John Scott, Department of Sociology, University of Essex

Covering a key topic in nearly every sociology course, this book is a thorough and lively introduction to the role and importance of youth and employment in contemporary British society.The book looks at the momentous changes that have occurred in the nature of youth employment in recent years. Examining the range of young people's experience of employment and unemployment, Professor Roberts highlights the importance of class, gender, ethnic divisions, and geography in explaining these differences. He assesses the huge impact of educational changes on the patterns of youth employment, and compares the British experience with the rest of Europe.The book will be an invaluable introduction and point of reference for students of sociology, human geography, and economics.The Oxford Modern Britain series comprises authoritative introductory books on all aspects of the social structure of modern Britain. Lively and accessible, the books will be the first point of reference for anyone interested in the state of contemporary Britain. They will be invaluable to those taking courses in the Social Sciences.Series Editor: Professor John Scott, Department of Sociology, University of Essex

Nickie Charles discusses theoretical developments in the sociological study of gender, providing an overview of how conceptual shifts have affected not only what is studied, which is itself changing, but also how it is studied and the questions that are asked. The empirical areas that provide the focus of the book are paid employment, domestic labour, parenting, education, the 'crisis' of masculinity, sexuality, and politics. Although the book is centrally concerned with gender, attention is paid to other bases of inequality and social identities such as class, ethnicity, and sexuality. Throughout, the author engages with contemporary debates about the significance of changes in gender relations, showing that while there has been very real change in some areas of social life, in others there has been remarkable continuity. Finally, gender relations in Britain are situated in international context and linked to global social and economic processes and divisions of labour.This important new study of gender in modern Britain provides a succinct and clearly written textbook for students on gender studies, women's studies, and sociology of gender courses.

The Oxford Modern Britain series comprises authoritative introductory books on all aspects of the social structure of modern Britain. Lively and accessible, the books will be the first points of reference for anyone interested in the state of contemporary Britain. They will be invaluable to those taking courses in the social sciences. This is an expanded second edition of a well-established introduction to the role and importance of race and ethnicity in contemporary British society, relevant to students of sociology and many other disciplines. All sections of the book have been revised to include the most recently available data. A new chapter has been added on the criminal justice system in the light of the Stephen Lawrence enquiry. In addition the sections on citizenship have been revised to take account of recent developments. The first chapters set out some of the key conceptual issues in the study of race and ethnicity in modern Britain. Subsequent chapters examine the historical background to migration and ethnic diversity. Drawing attention to a key distinction between difference and diversity, the book examines the interplay of inequality, citizenship, and public policy in a number of areas central to life in modern Britain, including: employment, education, housing, health, criminal justice and political representation. The book concludes with a look to the future to assess how a range of trends, including developments in the European Union, the resurgence of racism, and developing patterns of social mobility may pose challenges for the shape and direction of British society as it enters a new millennium.

Covering a key topic in both sociology and religious studies, this book is a thorough and lively introduction to the character and place of religion in contemporary British society.A brief introduction places the major British churches in their historical context and explains our curious combination of religious freedom and state-supported churches. Subsequent chapters examine a wide array of evidence on the influence and popularity of the churches, and on religious beliefs and behaviour, and document the following trends: the decline in the mainstream churches; a shift to the `sectarian' right in Protestantism; the rise of non-Christian ethnic minority religions; and increasing interest in the occult and New Age spirituality. Particular attention is given to the issue of what sort of people remain religious and how their religious beliefs affect their lives.Throughout the book, Britain's religious life is compared with that of other European societies and the final chapter shows how recent changes can be understood as a response to fundamental features of modern industrial democracies.The book will be an invaluable introduction and point of reference for students of the social sciences and religious studies.The Oxford Modern Britain series comprises authoritative introductory books on all aspects of the social structure of modern Britain. Lively and accessible, the books will be the first point of reference for anyone interested in the state of contemporary Britain. They will be invaluable to those taking courses in the social sciences.

The latest in the successful Oxford Modern Britain series, Women and Work in Modern Britain provides a highly accessible introduction to this important topic. Rosemary Crompton gives a full account of the recent changes in the structure of women's employment, incorporating a comprehensive review of the theoretical concepts and arguments developed to explain them. Discussing the pattern of women's paid employment from the standpoint of both constraint and individual choice, the author begins by examining the variety of explanations offered to understand the situation of women in work in twentieth-century Britain. In subsequent chapters she discusses the nature and extent of women's employment in Britain today; cross-national comparisons of the differential structuring of women's employment; women as employees; and the impact on the lives of both women and men of the changing employment/family interface and its implications for the wider structure of inequality and social polarization in Britain. Clearly and engagingly written, with useful chapter summaries highlighting key points and discussions, Women and Work in Modern Britain will be essential reading for students and teachers alike.

The Oxford Modern Britain series comprises authority introductory books on all aspects of the social structure of modern Britain. Lively and accessible, the books will be the first point of reference for anyone interested in the state of contemporary Britain. They will be invaluable to those taking courses in the social sciences. This volume has been developed for the large number of students studying the sociology of health and health care at an introductory level. It may also be read by nursing, medical students, and post-graduate public health students. Joan Busfield, well known for her expert and original work in the field, examines key issues affecting healthcare in contemporary Britain. These include: concepts and measures of health and illness; patterns of health and illness; changing health care provisions; explanations of health care systems; and a concluding analysis of current problems and prospects.

The Mass Media and Power in Britain is a thorough, lievely introduction to the role, importance, and power of the mass media in contemporary British society. What is the mass media, and how does it help shape life in modern Britain? After introducing the student to discussions around these questions, the authors examine the historical development of the mass media, issues of ownership, and the roots of its power in the public and political sphere. Contemporary questions surrounding todays media are also addressed. What is the role of the audience? How do people take pleasure from media culture? What are the issues surrounding the news, advertising, public services broadcasting, the shaping of public understanding, censorship, violence, and `moral panics'? The authors also look towards the future, considering prospects for a global media and the possible effects of the information superhighway. An invaluable introduction and point of reference for students of sociology, media studies, politics and human geography, The Mass Media and Power in Modern Britain will be essential reading for anyone interested in our mass media _