This book explores the dimensions and characteristics of social vulnerability in Western Europe. It provides a broad empirical foundation for recent theories on the emergence of new social risks in post-industrial societies, revealing to what extent social risks are compromising the 'normal' functioning of the European population. List of Figures and Tables List of Abbreviations Notes on Contributors Preface Acknowledgments PART I: CONCEPTS AND METHODOLOGY Social Vulnerability in Europe; C.Ranci Bringing Territory Back in Social Comparative Research;? C.Ranci PART II: ASPECTS OF SOCIAL VULNERABILITY Beyond the Male Breadwinner Family Model;? E.Pavolini? & C.Ranci Income Vulnerability in Europe;? S.Curatolo? & G.Wolleb Unstable Employment in Western Europe: Exploring the Individual and Household Dimensions;? I. Fellini ?& M.Migliavacca Housing Deprivation and Vulnerability in Western Europe;? P.Palvarini? & E.Pavolini Disability and Caregiving:?A Step Towards Social Vulnerability?;? G.Costa? & C.Ranci PART III: MULTIDIMENSIONAL ANALYSIS The Vulnerability of Young Adults on Leaving the Parental Home;? G.A.Micheli& A.Rosina Social Vulnerability:?A Multidimensional Analysis;? C.Ranci? & M.Migliavacca Explaining Social Vulnerability;? C.Ranci, B.Fiore? & ?E.Pavolini General Conclusion; C.Ranci References NotesGIULIANA COSTA is Assistant Professor in Sociology at the Polytechnic of Milan, ItalySALVATORE CURATOLO is Assistant Professor in Applied Economics at the University of Parma, ItalyIVANA FELLINI is Assistant Professor of Economic Sociology at the University of Milano-Bicocca, ItalyBRUNELLA FIORE is Research Fellow at the University of Milano-Bicocca, ItalyGIUSEPPE A. MICHELI is Professor of Demography at the University of Milano-Bicocca, ItalyMAURO MIGLIAVACCA teaches and researches at the Catholic University of Milan, at the Polytechnic of Milan and at the Ca' Foscari University in Venice, ItalyPIETRO PALVARINI is Ph.D. canls>