The paper illustrates how socioeconomic issues impact upon individuals at a micro level and contribute towards a process of social exclusion These issues are examined with reference to one specific group: women living in dual-adult households residing in an inner city council estate in Sheffield. It particularly explores the relationship between the household, women's labour market participation and social exclusion. The relationship between the household and labour market has tended to receive limited attention within traditional urban literature. This study attempts to examine housing issues within an extended framework, utilising a range of cross-disciplinary literature from social, economic and housing disciplines. The factors which impact upon a process of social exclusion are illustrated with reference to case studies of individual women. The data for each case study were ascertained by utilising life-history analysis which allows for a sequential examination of events.
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