Changing Britain, Changing Lives: Three Generations at the Turn of the Century

This book provides a unique insight into social change in Britain in the second half of the twentieth century. It draws on three internationally renowned British birth cohort studies, based on tracking samples of people born in one week in 1946, 1958 and 1970 through surveys from birth, through childhood and adolescence and into adulthood. In 1999-2000 all three cohorts were surveyed in the same period, which provided the first-ever opportunity for a direct comparison of the lives of the three groups of people. The contrasts between the cohorts have been striking, and have revealed the effects of social and educational change, as well as differences in health. A generational shift has taken place towards more uncertain adult careers, and marriage and parenthood postponed or rejected. Rich and poor have become increasingly polarised and those without resources face social exclusion. Each chapter in Changing Britain, Changing Lives covers a major aspect of life - family and parenting, qualifications and employment, income and living standards, physical and mental health, life styles and health behaviour, citizenship and social participation - and is written by leading analysts in that area. The book will be a valuable resource for those working in education, the social sciences, community medicine and epidemiology, and for anyone who seeks insight into the changing conditions of life in Britain today.