Individualization, risk and the body Sociology and care

Michael Fine*

*Corresponding author for this work

    Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

    65 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    No longer hidden in the home as a private problem, care and the human services are increasingly important public concerns in advanced societies. Care is also emerging as a significant field of social theory and enquiry with considerable importance for the field of sociology. However, it remains a specialist topic rather than a central concern of the discipline. This article considers these developments and discusses the significance that recognizing the central place of care in social life might have for sociology. To understand what contemporary sociology might offer the study of care, in turn, I draw on the work of a number of leading contemporary theorists to identify four themes that have particular significance for the study of care: the body; individualization; risk; and the new organizational logics. The potential application of these four themes to the study of care is identified and a number of contemporary developments and future options considered.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)247-266
    Number of pages20
    JournalJournal of Sociology
    Volume41
    Issue number3
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - Sept 2005

    Keywords

    • Care
    • Human services
    • Individualization
    • Risk
    • Social policy
    • The body
    • Work

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'Individualization, risk and the body Sociology and care'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this