Displaying Families

Abstract

This article argues that the sociology of contemporary family relationships should be developed to recognize the importance of ‘displaying’ as well as ‘doing’ family. The addition of the concept of ‘display’ to the sociological tool kit is not only a necessary complement to the important conceptual developments which have taken place in recent years, but is also rich in its potential for further empirical and theoretical work. In developing this theme, the article examines empirical evidence from recent UK studies of family relationships, exploring why ‘display’ is important in contemporary family relationships as well as the process through which it occurs. The article represents an initial exploration of these themes. The author's principal aim is to open up this aspect of family life for debate within the relevant sociological research community, encouraging others to refine the concept as well as to use it.

The Role of 'Family Practices' and 'Displays of Family' in the Creation of Adoptive Kinship

“…An emphasis has been placed upon kinship as a socially constructed relationship rather than a biological fact (Weston, 1991;Weeks et al, 2001) and the concepts of "family practices" (Morgan, 1996) and "displaying family" (Finch, 2007) have emerged as explanations of the social processes through which families are constituted.…”

“…These family events were transformed into family stories, a family history, which could be told and retold within the family and to those outside the family and, therefore, became "displays of 13 family" (Finch, 2007). This repository of stories allowed adopters to express joy and pride in their adopted children, for example, through a story about a child"s performance in the school play, or deep concern for them, through perhaps, a story about an illness, accident or hospital admission and, therefore, convey care and intimacy both to those within and outside of the adoptive family.…”

“…The many family stories told by adopters, therefore, conveyed, communicated or displayed to others complex messages of family intimacy, care, affection, pride, concern, belonging, longevity and, above all, the legitimacy of such family relationships. Adopters often produced objects relating to stories, such as family photograph albums, as additional "tools of display" (Finch, 2007) in an effort to make family history and belonging more tangible and therefore, more robust. Part of the process of constructing adoptive family relations, therefore, included the resistance of cultural discourses that devalue fictive kinship.…”

Negotiating blame and responsibility in the context of a “de novo” mutation

“…What makes a 'family' and how roles and relationships are defined and enacted has been extensively documented. Despite many changes to the structure of the family, many of the obligations and responsibilities that individuals feel towards each other are constant yet continuously being negotiated (Finch & Mason, 1993;Finch, 2007).…”

Non-resident fathers’ holidays alone with their children: experiences, meanings and fatherhood

“…Holidays for the fathers, just as family tourism in general, are also about family practices (Hall & Holdsworth, 2014) that are publically displayed when on holiday. Display is an important part of relationships so that the familylike qualities are positively established (Finch, 2007). The social practice of 'doing family things' such as skiing and fishing together (rather than 'being' a family) does then get constituted as a family practice tied to fatherhood and being a good father which differs from the routines of daily life.…”