Home Improvement in Aotearoa New Zealand and the UK

This book explores home improvement experiences in the UK and Aotearoa New Zealand, examining how it fits into social relationships and structures of inequality. It considers the importance of home improvement for gender and national identities, and how these identities are related to material contexts and the forms and fabric of homes. It also highlights the rewarding and valuable aspects of home improvement work.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 178 pages
Publication date: 31 May 2021
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This captivating book delves into the captivating world of home improvement, offering a profound exploration of experiences in the UK and Aotearoa New Zealand. Through in-depth interviews, it sheds light on the diverse ways in which individuals create and sustain homes within social, material, and economic contexts. Rosie Cox, the author, delves deep into the intricate relationship between home improvement and broader social structures, examining both DIY projects and professional handyman endeavors. She explores how home improvement fits into the fabric of society, considering its significance for gender and national identities, as well as the interplay between these identities and the material realities of homes.

The book also highlights the multifaceted nature of home improvement, recognizing it as both a rewarding and valuable form of work and an unrewarding and alienating endeavor. It appeals to scholars from a wide array of disciplines, including anthropology, sociology, and human geography, who are eager to unravel the complexities of this fascinating subject matter.

In conclusion, this book is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the intricate relationship between homes, society, and identity. It provides valuable insights into the ways in which individuals shape and transform their living spaces, and offers a rich tapestry of experiences that will captivate readers from all walks of life.

Weight: 298g
Dimension: 155 x 234 x 16 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367774837