The Impact of Social and Cultural Difference in Relation to Job Loss and Financial Planning: Reflections on the Risk Society

Authors

  • David Abbott University of Bristol
  • Deborah Quilgars University of York
  • Anwen Jones University of York

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17169/fqs-7.1.52

Keywords:

risk, income and job loss, social and cultural difference

Abstract

This paper is based on data collected as part of a research study which looks at how different social and cultural groups frame, and respond to, the risk of income and/or job loss. Writers like LASH, DOUGLAS and LUPTON have placed an emphasis on the importance of group membership and social categories in structuring response to different types of risk preferring to talk about "risk cultures" rather than "risk society". However, the writers acknowledge that there is little empirical research which explores this. As the first stage of our research, focus groups in two parts of the UK explored the relationship between risk and social difference with an emphasis on the risk of job or income loss. The groups were comprised of lesbian, gay and bisexual people; people from Black and Minority Ethnic backgrounds; Disabled people; and, people who actively practice a religion. Participants did not see strong links between their sexuality, race, or religion and their perceptions of, or responses to, risk. Income, and attitudinal factors were cited as being more important. Disabled people however were much more likely to make connections between being disabled and a range of barriers to responding to risky situations. URN: urn:nbn:de:0114-fqs0601160

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Author Biographies

David Abbott, University of Bristol

David ABBOTT is Research Fellow at the Norah Fry Research Centre at the University of Bristol, UK. His major Research Areas are: disability, sexuality and social policy; risk and labour markets; social inequality.

Deborah Quilgars, University of York

Deborah QUILGARS is Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Housing Policy at the University of York, UK. Her major research areas are: homelessness; housing support and care; housing and social inequality; risk and risk management; supporting people; egovernment; mortgage arrears and possessions.

Anwen Jones, University of York

Anwen JONES is a Research Fellow at the Centre for Housing Policy at the University of York, UK. Her major research areas are: rural youth housing and labour markets; student housing; homelessness and rough sleeping, anti-social behaviour and regeneration.

Downloads

Published

2006-01-31

How to Cite

Abbott, D., Quilgars, D., & Jones, A. (2006). The Impact of Social and Cultural Difference in Relation to Job Loss and Financial Planning: Reflections on the Risk Society. Forum Qualitative Sozialforschung Forum: Qualitative Social Research, 7(1). https://doi.org/10.17169/fqs-7.1.52

Issue

Section

Identity, Everyday Life and Social Inequality