Generational Consciousness, Narrative, and Politics (The Reynolds Series in Sociology)

With the erosion of strong class theory, sociologists have recently started to look at aspects of social stratification other than class. One of the most interesting new areas of investigation is the sociology of generations. This book brings together the work of scholars who are making a major contribution to this new sociological interest. Through a combination of innovative theoretical and empirical studies, this book shows that an analysis of generations is essential to an understanding of major social, political and intellectual trends in the postwar period. Each author brings to the volume insights from their own area of specialism - with rich illustrative material spanning topics as diverse as African American identity and Spanish youth culture. Theoretical inspiration also comes from a range of traditions, including cultural and historical sociology; social interactionism; social and cognitive psychology and life course theory. However, a unifying thread emerges around questions about how generations should be conceptualized; the role of trauma generating generational consciousness; the relationship between auto-biography and generational identity and the nature of inter and intra-generational relationships. This volume, therefore, provides a lively contribution to debates about the nature of generations and a stimulating basis for further work in this area. Strategic Generations : Historical Change, Literary Expression, And Generational Politics / Bryan S. Turner -- Generations, Women, And National Consciousness / June Edmunds -- Intellectuals And The Construction Of An African American Identity : Outline Of A Generational Approach / Ron Eyerman -- Generational Consciousness, Dialogue, And Political Engagement / Molly Andrews -- Generational Consciousness Of And For Women / Susan A. Mcdaniel -- Youth In The 1990s And Youth In The 1960s In Spain : Intergenerational Dialogue And Struggle / Ángela López -- Generational Consciousness And Age Identity : Three Fictional Examples / Mike Hepworth -- The Baby Boomers, Life's Turning Points, And Generational Consciousness / Tommi Hoikkala, Semi Purhonen, And J.p. Roos -- Nowa Huta : The Politics Of Post-communism And The Past / Peggy Watson. Edited By June Edmunds And Bryan S. Turner. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.