Stephen Edgell

When this book was originally published in 1980, sociologists had long held the view that the middle-class marriage in contemporary Britain was characterised by role desegregation and marital equality. Middle-Class Couples reported on research which provided a critical re-analysis of this orthodoxy. The book is a theoretically informed, empirical study which largely debunks many of the myths associated with this alleged movement towards ‘equal marriage’ among professional couples. The author analysed the sexual division of labour among a group of professional workers and their wives at the child-rearing stage of their family cycle. The research paid special attention to the notion of marital equality and the power dimension of marriage, the household division of labour and the patterning of leisure between husbands and wives. A radical critique of the existing social theories of the family and society incorporated in the classic studies of Parsons, Watson, Young and Willmott, Ann Oakley and Elizabeth Bott.

When this book was originally published in 1980, sociologists had long held the view that the middle-class marriage in contemporary Britain was characterised by role desegregation and marital equality. Middle-Class Couples reported on research which provided a critical re-analysis of this orthodoxy. The book is a theoretically informed, empirical study which largely debunks many of the myths associated with this alleged movement towards ‘equal marriage’ among professional couples. The author analysed the sexual division of labour among a group of professional workers and their wives at the child-rearing stage of their family cycle. The research paid special attention to the notion of marital equality and the power dimension of marriage, the household division of labour and the patterning of leisure between husbands and wives. A radical critique of the existing social theories of the family and society incorporated in the classic studies of Parsons, Watson, Young and Willmott, Ann Oakley and Elizabeth Bott.

‘Definitive, critical and engaging, this is a superb introduction to the sociology of work.’ Leo McCann Now in a fully updated third edition, The Sociology of Work draws on the work of classic and contemporary theorists, to provide readers with a thorough exploration of all aspects of work and employment, including paid and unpaid work, standard and non-standard employment, and unemployment. The new edition includes: Two new chapters on "Work, Skill and the Labour Process" and "Managing Culture at Work". Expanded coverage of the rise and decline of trade unions; emotional labour, misbehaviour, and resistance at work. Further discussion of the gig economy and precarious work; automation and the end of work; globalization and human rights. For Sociology and Business students, taking modules in work, employment and society.

‘Definitive, critical and engaging, this is a superb introduction to the sociology of work.’ Leo McCann Now in a fully updated third edition, The Sociology of Work draws on the work of classic and contemporary theorists, to provide readers with a thorough exploration of all aspects of work and employment, including paid and unpaid work, standard and non-standard employment, and unemployment. The new edition includes: Two new chapters on "Work, Skill and the Labour Process" and "Managing Culture at Work". Expanded coverage of the rise and decline of trade unions; emotional labour, misbehaviour, and resistance at work. Further discussion of the gig economy and precarious work; automation and the end of work; globalization and human rights. For Sociology and Business students, taking modules in work, employment and society.

This succinct introductory text argues that class remains a key concept in sociology. The author examines the classic contributions of Marx and Weber and the recent works of Wright and Goldthorpe. The book provides students with an accessible review of class structures, social mobility, inequality, politics and the potential classlessnes of Britain and America.

This work discusses the impact and contemporary relevance of the work of Thorstein Veblen, as well as the source of his ideas. It suggests that he was one of the first modern sociologists of consumption whose analysis of contemporary display and fashion anticipated later theories and research.

This work discusses the impact and contemporary relevance of the work of Thorstein Veblen, as well as the source of his ideas. It suggests that he was one of the first modern sociologists of consumption whose analysis of contemporary display and fashion anticipated later theories and research.

This succinct introductory text argues that class remains a key concept in sociology. The author examines the classic contributions of Marx and Weber and the recent works of Wright and Goldthorpe. The book provides students with an accessible review of class structures, social mobility, inequality, politics and the potential classlessnes of Britain and America.