This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in Web of Science Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Web of Science (6) Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Warr, D. J. Search for Related Content Social Bookmarking                         What's this?

Social networks in a ‘discredited’ neighbourhood

Centre for Health and Society, University of Melbourne, djwarr{at}unimelb.edu.au

Neighbourhoods are vulnerable to being stigmatized with implications for residents’ social networks, experiences of social connectedness, and opportunities for developing or accessing social capital. Goffman defined stigma as a discrediting attribute that impairs social acceptability. Poverty can be considered a discrediting attribute and stigma is experienced through negative labelling and stereotyping of the poor. Using qualitative data collected through interviews and participant observation in two impoverished suburbs in Victoria, Australia, this article explores experiences of neighbourhood, social networks and stigma as they are perceived by residents and people working in the neighbourhood. There was evidence of people being involved in supportive local bonding networks but few people were linked in bridging networks that extended outside the neighbourhood. Bridging networks are considered to be most effective for accessing valuable forms of social capital. The article considers social contexts for residents’ networks for their potential to generate social capital. Contemporary contexts for the stigmatization of poverty and possibilities for ‘destigmatizing’ social groups and neighbourhoods are discussed.

Key Words: neighbourhood • social capital • social networks • socioeconomic disadvantage • stigma

Journal of Sociology, Vol. 41, No. 3, 285-308 (2005)
DOI: 10.1177/1440783305057081


CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

				M. Alston and J. Kent Generation X-pendable: The social exclusion of rural and remote young people Journal of Sociology, March 1, 2009; 45(1): 89 - 107. [Abstract] [PDF]

				T. Edensor and S. Millington Illuminations, Class Identities and the Contested Landscapes of Christmas Sociology, February 1, 2009; 43(1): 103 - 121. [Abstract] [PDF]

				K. Cook and K. Nunkoosing Maintaining Dignity and Managing Stigma in the Interview Encounter: The Challenge of Paid-For Participation Qual Health Res, March 1, 2008; 18(3): 418 - 427. [Abstract] [PDF]

				V. K. Gosling Regenerating Communities: Women's Experiences of Urban Regeneration Urban Stud, March 1, 2008; 45(3): 607 - 626. [Abstract] [PDF]