Sociology of Personal Life - 2nd Edition by Vanessa May & Petra Nordqvist (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

What can sociology tell us about our personal lives, families and intimate relationships? This book explains how key theoretical perspectives and relevant contemporary research in the discipline can shed new light on even the most familiar areas of our everyday worlds.

From friendships and pets, to political engagement and social legislation, the text shows how distinctions and connections can be drawn between our public and private lives. Each chapter explores a familiar topic that illustrates how individual relationships and lives can be shaped by social contexts, and how personal choices shape the wider social world. Using vivid case examples drawn from topical areas of debate, such as marriage rights and the role of social networking, the book is clearly laid out and easy to read. It gives useful explanations of theory and invaluable advice on how to carry out research on personal lives and relationships. This is essential reading for students of sociology interested in family, relationships and beyond.

New to this Edition:
- Pre-existing chapters have been fully re-written
- Includes a number of new chapters on topics such as the body, home and personal life in public spaces.
- Reformulated 'questions for discussion' at the end of each chapter.

From the Back Cover

From friendships and pets, to political engagement and social legislation, the text shows how distinctions and connections can be drawn between our public and private lives. Each chapter explores a familiar topic that illustrates how individual relationships and lives can be shaped by social contexts, and how personal choices shape the wider social world. Using vivid case examples drawn from topical areas of debate, such as marriage rights and the role of social networking, the book is clearly laid out and easy to read. It gives useful explanations of theory and invaluable advice on how to carry out research on personal lives and relationships. This is essential reading for students of Sociology interested in family, relationships and beyond.

Review Quotes

"This is an important and compelling introduction to the sociology of personal life, now updated to present chapters on a broad range of topics, which clearly illustrate the intersections and connections between public and private lives." --Jenny van Hooff, Manchester Metropolitan University, UK

"The sociology of personal life comes of age in this compelling and highly readable second edition, which develops new and exciting insights into the politics and practices that link the individual and the social in both public and private worlds." --Raelene Wilding, La Trobe University, Australia

"In this wonderful introductory text leading Sociologists bring together insights from the sociology of families, sexuality, friendship, consumption and the body to lay out the developing field of personal life. By focussing on the interconnections between the personal and the public and the emotional and the material, a fresh perspective on everyday life emerges." --Jo Lindsay, Monash University, Australia

"This wonderfully accessible new edition expands and deepens our sociological understanding of contemporary personal life. May and Nordqvist bring together some of the most exciting names in the field to demonstrate sociology in its most engaging and challenging form. This book is essential reading for anyone studying the ways in which complex, modern inter-personal relationships work." --Carol Smart, University of Manchester, UK

"This is a fresh, timely and accessible contribution to the sociology of the family, intimacy and relationships. The authors bring to life the many and varied dimensions of personal life encompassing the relational and the socio-political. Destined to become a 'must read' for teachers and researchers alike." --Deborah Dempsey, Swinburne University, Australia

"Combining fascinating insights from current research with key theoretical concepts, this is an essential text for any student of family and relationships. Chapters on 'home' and 'the body' are welcome additions to this new edition which offers an accessible and engaging guide to the contemporary sociology of personal life." --Esther Dermott, University of Bristol, UK

About the Author

Vanessa May and Petra Nordqvist are both based in the Morgan Centre for Research into Everyday Lives at the University of Manchester, UK.
Vanessa May and Petra Nordqvist are both based in the Morgan Centre for Research into Everyday Lives at the University of Manchester, UK.