Seeking Urbanity or Seeking Diversity? Middle-class family households in a mixed neighbourhood in Germany

Abstract

Within the prominent debate on disaffiliation and coping strategies of middle-class households in mixed neighbourhoods, the paper aims to shed light on a less researched question: what are the characteristics of middle-class households that form inter-ethnic and inter-social networks in mixed communities in contrast to those that do not? Based on exploratory research in a German inner-city neighbourhood, we focus on differentiations within the middle class. We identify two most contrasting groups as regards social boundary crossing or social closure and analyse their different preferences, values and routines. Neighbourhood foci such as parent initiatives concerning childcare or schooling have a reinforcing role for either intra-group networks or boundary-crossing interactions. The findings are based on an analysis of narratives, daily routines and social networks of middle-class family households in a gentrifying neighbourhood.