Moving Histories of Class and Community: Identity, Place and Belonging in Contemporary England (Identity Studies in the Social Sciences)

A major new study of white working class Britain since 1930, that shows how meanings of poverty have changed over time and how individuals reject categorization by the state. This book challenges accepted wisdom on the white working class, providing new understandings of community, place and class, arguing for the importance of migration. White working class areas are often seen as entrenched and immobile, threatened by the arrival of 'outsiders'. This major new study of class and place since 1930 challenges accepted wisdom, demonstrating how emigration as well as shorter distance moves out of such areas can be as suffused with emotion as moving into them. Both influence people's sense of belonging to the place they live in. Using oral histories from residents of three social housing estates in Norwich, England, the book also tells stories of the appropriation of and resistance to state discoruses of community; and of ambivalent, complex and shifting class relations and identities. Material poverty has been a constant in the area, but not for all residents, and being classed as 'poor' is an identity that some actively resist. This paperback edition includes a Preface by Lynsey Hanley, author of Estates: An Intimate History, and a new Conclusion by the authors "I will certainly be adding the book to reading lists"--Sue Child, Times Higher Education 'a thought-provoking, well-written and at times 'moving' analysis of living in contemporary social housing' - Journal of Social Policy 'If you are trying to understand how class is enacted in contemporary provincial England, then this rich and challenging text should be a starting point' - Political Geography 'a fascinating and important study.' - Robert J.C. Young, Julius Silver Professor of English and Comparative Literature, New York University, USA 'a unique and important contribution to the recently revitalised area of class analysis.' - Professor Beverley Skeggs, Goldsmiths, University of London, UK 'approaches the emotionality and significance of the residents' own 'moving' stories with great insight and sensitivity.' - Professor Alistair Thomson, Monash University, Australia 'This book is a vital addition to the burgeoning New Working Class Studies movement.' - Don Mitchell, Distinguished Professor of Geography, Syracuse University, USA 'a fine-grained ehnographic account of three housing estates in Norwich ... Class continues to count.' - Sociology

White working class areas are often seen as entrenched and immobile, threatened by the arrival of 'outsiders'. This major new study of class and place since 1930 challenges accepted wisdom, demonstrating how emigration as well as shorter distance moves out of such areas can be as suffused with emotion as moving into them. Both influence people's sense of belonging to the place they live in.
 
Using oral histories from residents of three social housing estates in Norwich, England, the book also tells stories of the appropriation of and resistance to state discoruses of community; and of ambivalent, complex and shifting class relations and identities. Material poverty has been a constant in the area, but not for all residents, and being classed as 'poor' is an identity that some actively resist.  
 
This paperback edition includes a Preface by Lynsey Hanley, author of Estates: An Intimate History, and a new Conclusion by the authors.

Front Matter....Pages i-xiii Introduction: Moving Histories....Pages 1-35 Place....Pages 36-70 Interlude 1: Tom Crowther (1929–2006)....Pages 71-75 Poverty....Pages 76-107 State....Pages 108-139 Class....Pages 140-172 Interlude 2: Flo Smith....Pages 173-177 Moves....Pages 178-211 Afterword....Pages 212-214 Back Matter....Pages 215-243