Poverty, community, and health : co-operation and the good society

If we are becoming increasingly disconnected from our local communities, are there implications for health, well being and happiness, particularly for people on low incomes? This book looks at the interplay between poor people, poor communities and poor health, with a particular focus on social networks as key linkages. "Despite plentiful evidence on poverty and reduced health chances and on the benefits of co-operative social networks and social capital, the nature of the relationship between them remains uncertain. Yet an enhanced understanding is needed if we are to gain, not only a more effective purchase on social processes involved in well-being, or on links between poverty and place, but also of the stratagems people adopt to challenge or cope with social and economic difficulties and resist their deleterious effects. Drawing on key concepts and on community studies conducted in East London housing estates, this book brings together diverse strands of influence on participatory community life and individual well-being. Residents' rich narratives are used to emphasize the significance of different social network patterns for mediating disadvantage and happiness. The book makes a timely contribution to post 2010 policy agendas and to current political debates on the 'big society' and the 'good society'"-- Provided by publisher Front Matter....Pages i-ix Introduction: Social Murder....Pages 1-25 Utopian Dreams....Pages 26-40 Researching Poverty, Community and Health....Pages 41-52 Community Resilience....Pages 53-71 Community Demoralization and Resistance....Pages 72-88 Social Capital in Urban Neighbourhoods: The Potential for Unity and Division....Pages 89-103 Well-being and Happiness: Balancing Community with Independence....Pages 104-121 Social Network Characteristics and Health and Well-being....Pages 122-147 Conclusions: Poverty, Community and Health in the ‘Good Society’....Pages 148-170 Back Matter....Pages 171-195