Families, Housing and Property Wealth in a Neoliberal World

The twenty-first century has seen a significant shift in the economy around housing and real estate, with families playing a critical role in wealth accumulation. However, housing conditions have become increasingly central to growing inequalities and processes of social stratification, with different families having varying abilities to realize this. This book explores the changing relationships between families and their homes in the context of neo-liberalization, examining how transformations in households, life-course transitions, kinship, and intergenerational relations shape and are shaped by the shifting role of property markets in social and economic processes.

Format: Hardback
Length: 190 pages
Publication date: 30 November 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

The twenty-first century has witnessed a remarkable shift in the economic landscape, with ongoing realignments centered around housing and real estate. Markets have experienced a rollercoaster of boom and bust cycles, with residential property emerging as a focal point for wealth accumulation strategies. While analyses have primarily focused on global capital flows and large institutions, families have played a critical role in this transformation. Housing properties, often considered family goods, shape the interactions, organization, and coping mechanisms of individuals and families in the face of economic fluctuations. Moreover, families have increasingly mobilized around their homes as valuable assets, aligning household transitions and practices toward the accumulation of property wealth. However, the realization of this potential varies widely among families, with housing conditions becoming increasingly intertwined with growing inequalities and processes of social stratification.

This book aims to explore the evolving relationships between families and their homes in the context of neo-liberalization. It delves into how transformations in households, life-course transitions, kinship, and intergenerational relations are shaped and influenced by the changing role of property markets in social and economic processes. The chapters present a comprehensive examination of this topic across diverse national contexts, shedding light on various aspects of home, family life, and socioeconomic change.

One of the central themes of the book is the changing nature of homeownership and the impact it has on families. As property markets have become more accessible and affordable, more families have been able to enter the homeownership market, leading to increased stability and security. However, this has also created new challenges, particularly for low-income and marginalized families who struggle to access affordable housing and face discrimination in the rental market. The book explores the various policies and initiatives aimed at promoting homeownership, such as mortgage subsidies, rent-to-own programs, and affordable housing initiatives, and their effectiveness in addressing housing inequality.

Another important aspect of the book is the role of family life in shaping homeownership and wealth accumulation practices. Families, as social units, play a crucial role in decision-making processes related to housing and real estate. The book examines how family dynamics, such as intergenerational relationships, gender roles, and household composition, influence homeownership decisions, property investment strategies, and wealth accumulation. It also explores the impact of family transitions, such as divorce, remarriage, and childbearing, on homeownership and wealth accumulation patterns.

Kinship and intergenerational relations are also key themes in the book. As families become more diverse and complex, the dynamics between different generations within a family have become more intricate. The book examines how kinship structures, such as extended families, nuclear families, and single-parent families, influence homeownership decisions, property inheritance, and intergenerational wealth transfer. It also explores the challenges and opportunities that arise from intergenerational relationships, such as caregiving, financial support, and intergenerational conflict.

Socioeconomic change is another critical factor shaping the relationships between families and their homes. The book examines how economic downturn the changes, such as globalization, technological advancements, and labor market transformations, have impacted homeownership, property values, and wealth accumulation practices. It also explores the ways in which families adapt to these changes, such as by changing their housing preferences, investment strategies, and employment patterns.

In conclusion, the twenty-first century has witnessed a profound transformation in the economic landscape, with ongoing realignments centered around housing and real estate. Families have played a critical role in this transformation, as housing properties have become family goods that shape how individuals interact, organize themselves, and cope with economic fluctuations. While families have mobilized around their homes as valuable assets, the realization of this potential varies widely, with housing conditions becoming increasingly intertwined with growing inequalities and processes of social stratification. This book aims to explore the evolving relationships between families and their homes in the context of neo-liberalization, shedding light on how transformations in households, life-course transitions, kinship, and intergenerational relations shape and are shaped by the changing role of property markets in social and economic processes. By examining these relationships across diverse national contexts, the book provides valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities facing families in the twenty-first century.

Weight: 540g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367551308