At a time when families break up and employment is often short-term, society is increasingly forced to operate against a background of insecurity. This text looks at how this sense of risk and instability has affected the major institutions of social life. With examples and research taken from a range of European and North American societies today, this book on contemporary society discusses such major issues as: the causes of social and economic insecurity; insecurity and modern capitalism; the role of the state; insecurity and housing; and contemporary family life.