Editorial: Consequences of the Corona crisis for social inequalities in Germany

Abstract

The possible consequences of the Corona crisis for social inequalities have received a lot of attention in public as well as scientific debates. On the one hand, concerns have been raised that the pandemic intensified pre-existing patterns of social inequality. On the other hand, the crisis has also been seen as an opportunity for social change and a renegotiation of social relationships. Complementing previous research that focused on the immediate consequences of the pandemic, this Special Issue is devoted to its longer-term effects. It unites six theory-guided empirical studies that use qualitative and quantitative longitudinal data to study changes in social inequality in the course of the pandemic in different life domains. Overall, the results do not show a universal trend of increased inequalities. While changes in different life domains occurred, such as better grading for students, intensified strong ties in families or increased social trust, there is only limited evidence of changes in social inequalities. In general, a complex picture of effects, consequences and concomitants of the pandemic appears.