Shifting responsibilities: Homeownership and life-course transitions in a comparative perspective

A CHASM Seminar

Speakers:  
Dr Julia Cook (University of Newcastle, Australia)      
Dr Oana Druta (Eindhoven University of Technology, Netherlands)

Abstract

The restructuring of welfare policies (e.g. social care), in many advanced economies has revealed a landscape of shifting responsibilities. Policy reforms often displace responsibilities for supporting life-course transitions away from central governments and onto lower levels of government, communities, family networks or households themselves, without a clear vision of how these responsibilities might be taken up. In this workshop, we hone in on homeownership and its relationships with well-being in the context of two particular life-course transitions, that of young adults toward independent living (and homeownership) and that of older people preparing to age in place (in their owner occupied home). We bring together contrasting perspectives from Europe and Australia, to problematize the notion of responsibility by discussing specific cases of household practices – intergenerational financial transfers for homeownership, home improvements and investments towards aging in place – and the policy discourses that frame these practices. 

Lunch will be provided for this event. If you would like to attend, please contact Helen Harris at h.m.a.harris@bham.ac.uk.