“It’s Our Space": Emotions and Materiality in the Housing Experiences of Lone Mothers from Different Social Classes

Housing, more than just a basic necessity, is the space where emotional bonds are formed, families are built, and intimacy is experienced. However, it can also represent insecurity, discomfort, and/or submission, particularly when access to housing is precarious or non-existent. The material conditions of housing, daily experiences within the surrounding environment, and access to housing are shaped differently according to social class. This paper, based on broader research on the lives of lone mothers from middle- and working-class backgrounds in Greater Lisbon, explores the material and emotional dimensions of housing and its centrality to their sense of family and well-being.

The study adopts a Bourdieusian approach to social class, complemented by feminist and everyday life sociology. Methodologically, it draws on qualitative interviews with a biographical dimension to understand the housing experiences of lone mothers. The findings reveal that material and symbolic dimensions are experienced differently, exposing deep social inequalities linked to one’s position in the social space. The location of the home within the urban landscape not only influences mobility and access to services but also shapes symbolic aspects such as neighbourhood reputation, experiences of discrimination, and perceptions of vulnerability.

Living arrangements—whether living alone with children, sharing a home with others, or owning versus renting—further differentiate these experiences. In Portugal, where homeownership is highly valued, the ideal of homeownership permeates the narratives, shaping emotional experiences associated with renting or owning a home, and in the latter case, whether the property is mortgaged.

The housing experiences of lone mothers illustrate the relationship between materiality and emotions, demonstrating how the intersection of social class and gender reproduces inequalities, while highlighting the central role of housing in structuring their lives.