The Sociology of Housing: How Homes Shape Our Social Lives

A landmark volume about the importance of housing in social life, Seventy-five years after Louis Wirth argued for its significance, the sociology of housing has yet to develop as a distinct subfield. This volume showcases the best traditions of sociology by tackling topics like racial segregation, housing instability, the supply of affordable housing, and the process of eviction. It will be used by researchers and students to define the subfield, map research directions, and center sociologists in interdisciplinary conversations about housing.

Format: Hardback
Length: 432 pages
Publication date: 28 November 2023
Publisher: The University of Chicago Press

A significant and essential work on the significance of housing in social life, The Sociology of Housing delves into the complex and multifaceted aspects of this vital domain. In 1947, Louis Wirth, the esteemed president of the American Sociological Association, argued for the importance of housing as a field of sociological research, recognizing its profound impact on individuals, communities, and society as a whole. However, seventy-five years later, the sociology of housing has yet to develop as a distinct subfield, leaving the understanding of housing's place in society to other disciplines such as economics and urban planning.

To address this gap and solidify the importance of housing studies within the discipline of sociology, the editors and contributors of this volume have assembled a collection of insightful and thought-provoking essays. Spanning a range of topics, including racial segregation, housing instability, the supply of affordable housing, and the process of eviction, these essays showcase the very best traditions of sociology. By drawing on diverse methodologies, presenting unique field sites and data sources, and foregrounding a range of theoretical approaches, the authors elucidate the complex relationships between contemporary housing, public policy, and key social outcomes.

The Sociology of Housing serves as a valuable resource for researchers and students alike. It will be used as a defining text for this growing subfield, providing a comprehensive overview of the current state of research and identifying future directions for inquiry. Moreover, the book will facilitate interdisciplinary conversations about housing, bringing sociologists into dialogue with experts from other fields to explore the multifaceted implications of this critical issue.

In conclusion, The Sociology of Housing is a landmark volume that will have a lasting impact on the field of sociology and beyond. By highlighting the importance of housing in social life and showcasing the rich traditions of sociological research, this book contributes to our understanding of the world we live in and the challenges we face in the 21st century.

Dimension: 229 x 152 x 30 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780226828510