Mumford, K. and A. Power (2003). East Enders: family and community in East London. Bristol, Policy Press.
This book examines families and neighbourhood relations in two deprived East London areas, 'West-City' in Hackney and 'East Docks' in Newham, which have different housing patterns, ethnic make-up and histories. The aim of the study is to understand how low-income families with children cope with the problems of poor neighbourhood conditions and inner city life. By focusing on a single area within a city, the book follows the example set by three neighbourhood family studies: Young and Willmott (1957), Newson and Newson (1968, 1976) and William Julius Wilson (1996). However, the approach is very different to the re-study of Bethnal Green by Dench et al*, with a focus on the detailed life experiences of families and how families interact with their neighbourhoods. The research methods include interviews (mainly with mothers), focus groups, meetings with local organisations and residents, secondary analysis of neighbourhood statistics, and visual methods (photographs). Four key themes are addressed throughout the book: community and race relations, mothers in work or staying at home, neighbourhood conditions- the threat of breakdown, and how change affects families.