Abstract
The purpose of this chapter is to illustrate the ways in which sociological theory is able to contribute to the creation of a broader knowledge and understanding of the complexity of people’s everyday lives within local communities. The chapter examines how sociological perspectives might be included in research concerned with local communities/residential areas, health and well-being. The strengths of this particular perspective are demonstrated by focusing on various sociological theories on local communities, inclusion/exclusion, everyday life and health behaviour. The chapter draws conclusions by means of a specific sociological analysis of the marginalised residential area of Bakkedal in Denmark.
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Notes
- 1.
At a macro level, factors such as those overall societal institutions that structure a society in financial, political and legal terms, but also family, health care systems, etc., are present. The meso level includes various types of everyday life experienced by people living in a society, everyday cultural life of social groups and subgroups within the local communities, organisational and institutional life, etc. The micro level is concerned with each individual life story and actual everyday life within the given cultural and societal framework.
- 2.
However, local community studies might also include other types of settings than local towns or rural areas. The perspective of such studies might also be the analysis of an organisation, i.e. an administrative and functional social system of individuals and groups, which was established for the purpose of achieving a certain goal. In this context, an application of the local community analysis perspective contributes to an examination of work processes, coordination, organisational culture and behaviour amongst local citizens and professionals. Thus, local community studies might also include examinations of care homes, kindergartens, school or other public or private organisations.
- 3.
Homogeneous networks, i.e. small groups of similar individuals maintaining close contact. Heterogeneous networks include a variety of people who gather because of a certain issue. Traditional networks often involve people, who have known each other for many years, e.g. family, neighbours or work colleagues.
- 4.
Bourdieu defines social capital as “the aggregate of the actual or potential resources which are linked to possession of a durable network of more or less institutionalised relationships of mutual acquaintance or recognition” (Bourdieu 1985, p. 248).
- 5.
Three strategies have been defined as a means of promoting social equality in health issues: (1) high level of resident involvement, (2) differentiated offers adapted to fit the needs of various target groups and (3) multipronged initiatives in the immediate environment.
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Andersen, P.T. (2013). Sociological Perspectives on Neighbourhood Context and Health. In: Stock, C., Ellaway, A. (eds) Neighbourhood Structure and Health Promotion. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-6672-7_4
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