The concept of "lifestyle" in social structure research - A critical appraisal

During the past 15 years the concept of "lifestyle" has increasingly been used in German sociology and has begun to dominate empirical research on social structure. More and more scientists put forward the idea of abandoning the traditional concept of class as well as the analysis of stratification and of replacing it by the concept of lifestyle. The present article attempts a critical evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses of this concept with regard to the following questions: (i) Which stimulations and which problems have been connected with the new paradigm? (ii) Does it measure up to its claim to be able to replace the traditional paradigm of class analysis? (iii) Is it an apt instrument for comprehending the forms of social inequality in modem societies? Those questions are answered in three steps. First, some positive new impulses are pointed out which the concept of lifestyle has given to research on social structure. Second, a number of shortcomings of this concept are discussed, which will make clear the problematic character of a sociology of lifestyles. Finally, some remarks are made on what the author regards as an adequate reconceptualization of stratification research.