She analyses the culture of post-industrial working life and family-related uncertainties and their impact on the emotional bonds between parents and children. Her book, Longing and Belonging: Parents, Children and Consumer Culture, won the William J. Goode Book Award from the American Sociological Association, the section concerning sociology of the family, and the Distinguished Contribution Award from the American Sociological Association section on children and youth. Pugh also operates the blog careworklive.wordpress.com together with other sociologists.