- Slug: BC-CNS-Third Spaces. 1,115 words.
- Photo available (thumbnail, caption below).
By Analisa Valdez
Cronkite News
PHOENIX – There’s something that occurs in a coffee shop when a series of individuals preparing for their day cross paths in a shared space. A man stops inside for a bite to eat, a woman keeps to herself and studies diligently in the corner, one barista wipes off tables while the other takes orders, and a young woman on the porch sketches in her notepad. While these people only interact partially with one another, what they’ve essentially created in this unassuming coffee shop is what is known as a “third space.”
In sociology, a third space is defined as a place outside of the traditional first spaces – like a person’s home or place of residency – and away from second spaces – like work or school – to create an environment where attendance doesn’t feel like a requirement or chore. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, many of these spaces closed, keeping people in isolation even after the major lockdown protocols had expired. Much of the population sequestered themselves in their homes.
