Policy Press
Two The making of a pioneer researcher: reflections from Peter Townsend’s life story
Abstract
This chapter draws on over 17 hours of interviews conducted with Peter between 1997 and 1999. It reveals clear links between Peter’s childhood and education and the kind of sociologist Peter Townsend became and the work undertaken. It observes that the ‘unusual coherence’ in the interviews, which requires only ‘careful punctuation’, is also indicative of Peter’s incisive thinking and clarity of expression, which is reflected in the quality of his writing, which led to an example of the work used in an exam for French students studying English. Through Peter’s own words, this chapter highlights the combination of high research standards with empathy and passion which drove Peter’s work forwards.
Abstract
This chapter draws on over 17 hours of interviews conducted with Peter between 1997 and 1999. It reveals clear links between Peter’s childhood and education and the kind of sociologist Peter Townsend became and the work undertaken. It observes that the ‘unusual coherence’ in the interviews, which requires only ‘careful punctuation’, is also indicative of Peter’s incisive thinking and clarity of expression, which is reflected in the quality of his writing, which led to an example of the work used in an exam for French students studying English. Through Peter’s own words, this chapter highlights the combination of high research standards with empathy and passion which drove Peter’s work forwards.
Chapters in this book
- Front Matter i
- Contents v
- List of figures and tables vii
- Preface viii
- Notes on contributors ix
- The legacy of Peter Townsend 1
- The making of a pioneer researcher: reflections from Peter Townsend’s life story 29
- Peter Townsend, a man ahead of his time: re-reading The family life of old people and The last refuge 59
- The case for universal child benefit 79
- Poverty 91
- Social justice for children: investigating and eradicating child poverty 111
- For universalism and against the means test 133
- Underclass, overclass, ruling class, supernova class 153
- Addressing health inequalities: building on Peter Townsend’s legacy 175
- Towards a new sociology of ageing: from structured dependency to critical gerontology 193
- Disability: prospects for social inclusion 223
- Putting the lawyers in their place: the role of human rights in the struggle against poverty 241
- Radicalising social policy in the 21st century: a global approach 257
- Conclusion: building on the legacy of Peter Townsend 275
- Index 303
Chapters in this book
- Front Matter i
- Contents v
- List of figures and tables vii
- Preface viii
- Notes on contributors ix
- The legacy of Peter Townsend 1
- The making of a pioneer researcher: reflections from Peter Townsend’s life story 29
- Peter Townsend, a man ahead of his time: re-reading The family life of old people and The last refuge 59
- The case for universal child benefit 79
- Poverty 91
- Social justice for children: investigating and eradicating child poverty 111
- For universalism and against the means test 133
- Underclass, overclass, ruling class, supernova class 153
- Addressing health inequalities: building on Peter Townsend’s legacy 175
- Towards a new sociology of ageing: from structured dependency to critical gerontology 193
- Disability: prospects for social inclusion 223
- Putting the lawyers in their place: the role of human rights in the struggle against poverty 241
- Radicalising social policy in the 21st century: a global approach 257
- Conclusion: building on the legacy of Peter Townsend 275
- Index 303
