ABSTRACT
The sense of border between self and other is echoed in both social and spatial boundaries. The boundary question, a traditional but very much undertheorized concern in human geography, is one that I will explore in this chapter from the point of view of groups and individuals who erect boundaries but also of those who suffer or whose lives are constrained as a result of their existence. Crossing boundaries, from a familiar space to an alien one which is under the control of somebody else, can provide anxious moments; in some circumstances it could be fatal, or it might be an exhilarating experience-the thrill of transgression. Not being able to cross boundaries is the common fate of many would-be migrants, refugees, or children in the home or at school. Boundaries in other circumstances provide security and comfort. I will start by examining some general characteristics of boundary zones and then describe some of the diverse ways in which boundaries are constructed, demolished and energized.
