Choice and constraint in ethnic minority housing: A structurationist view

Abstract

Abstract The paper argues that the theory of structuration can help to resolve some problems in explaining ethnic housing and segregation. First, it reviews some of the existing literature on ethnic housing, arguing that the polarisation between ‘choice’ and ‘constraint’ interpretations needs to be replaced by a more integrated view. Then it argues that the theory of structuration provides a promising way of pursuing such integration, though it is necessary to develop appropriate methodologies if research is to put structurationist views into practice. These methods will probably draw on realism. Finally, the paper presents a brief sketch of the findings of a research project into ethnic housing in Bedford, arguing that it can be explained only by a wide variety of factors, involving major structures as well as significant agency, and shows that choice and constraint have adjusted together and changed over time.