Pure notions! An ethnographic research of social class mobility from Limerick City’s regeneration communities

Abstract

Growing up in poverty and experiencing social exclusion within marginalised communities can significantly hinder educational and professional success. This research explores the journeys of individuals who have overcome these challenges in Limerick's most disadvantaged housing estates. By analysing their personal narratives, the study aims to understand how they navigated poverty and deprivation to achieve upward social mobility. The investigation examines the interplay of social factors that facilitated successful mobility for individuals from four specific locations: Ballinacurra Weston (my childhood home), Southill, St. Mary's Park, and Moyross, which are all characterised by persistent disadvantage and poverty despite Regeneration policies implemented since 2007. Firstly, the research looks to identify the 'pull factors' that enabled individuals to break the cycle of intergenerational poverty and disadvantage. Secondly, the study investigates the impact of upward mobility on participants' social class identity. This involves the identification of shared markers of working-class identity and an examination into how these markers were affected by a shift in socioeconomic status by drawing on Bourdieu's concept of Habitus Clivé. In summary, the research focuses on understanding how individuals navigated the complexities of social structures and their own evolving identities within the context of social class.

The research employs a qualitative ethnographic approach, allowing for a flexible research process that adapts to emerging themes and issues raised by participants. The primary data source for the thesis was twelve in-depth ethnographic interviews. Furthermore, to gain a broader societal perspective on class, a digital ethnography was conducted using X (formerly Twitter) records from 2018-2022, focusing on narratives surrounding social class issues and problems in modern Ireland. The findings from this digital ethnography informed the interview questions and supported the interview data, ensuring validity and robust research. To further enhance the research, I leveraged my insider perspective by incorporating autoethnographic methods, through reflections, journaling, and the creation of vignettes. Through these processes I brought my personal experiences of upward mobility to bear on the data, providing unique insights into the lived reality of class mobility.

The complex and multifaceted nature of social class necessitated an interdisciplinary theoretical framework. Therefore, this study combines Bourdieu's concepts of capital, habitus, and field with Chetty's research on neighbourhood effects, and Sen's Capability Approach. This approach facilitates novel interpretations and methodologies that a single theoretical perspective cannot provide, enabling a deeper understanding of social class and its impact on working-class individuals’ lives.

Findings revealed the crucial interplay of strong family values, supportive communities, and accessible education. These structures often complemented each other, highlighting the importance of interconnected support systems. However, despite achieving upward mobility, participants experienced a ‘displaced sense of identity’ as they struggled to reconcile their working-class roots with their new social standing. Therefore, this research emphasises the need to empower marginalised individuals through community-based initiatives, equitable education, and support systems that foster resilience, a sense of social justice, and personal agency. It contributes to a deeper understanding of the complex factors shaping social class mobility and its enduring impact on individual identity.