Abstract copyright UK Data Service and data collection copyright owner.

This study is available via the UK Data Service Qualibank, an online tool for browsing, searching and citing the content of selected qualitative data collections held at the UK Data Service. This study uses in-depth interviews to build up a picture of one large and complex working-class family. Using a small sample from the population of the Isle of Sheppey, the interviews cover sources of support and help for family members. The relative importance of neighbours, family and official state-provided services are also examined. "We were interested in everything, from help with marital problems to day-to-day assistance with baby sitting or borrowing the traditional cup of sugar". The research supports the proposition that the family is best understood as a system of relationships that change over time. Findings also question the view that equate the family with the household.

Main Topics:

Families; family life; kinship; households; life cycle; marriage; child care; everyday life; neighbours; friends; community life; employment; household income; working class.

Purposive selection/case studies

Face-to-face interview