Visions in monochrome: families, marriage and the individualization thesis¹

Abstract

This paper takes issue with the way in which the individualisation thesis -in which it is assumed that close relationships have become tenuous and fragile -has become so dominant in 'new' sociological theorising about family life. Although others have criticised this thesis, in this paper the main criticism derives from empirical research findings carried out with members of transnational families living in Britain whose values and practices do not fit easily with ideas of individualisation. It is argued that we need a much more complex and less linear notion of how families change across generations and in time.

Cohabitation and marriage in Austria

“…In addition, the decision to enter or end an intimate relationship has become a private matter and the couple"s responsibility. Nevertheless, the discussions showed that (indirect) social pressure from family and friends remains relevant for the marriage decision and that strong age norms guide behavior (e.g., Smart and Shipman 2004;Liefbroer and Billari 2010). The literature from North America and Norway (Bulcroft et al 2000;Syltevik 2010) highlights two main discrepancies concerning romantic love and commitment, which also became apparent in Austrian discussions.…”

“…Smart and Shipman have presented family and kinship as a context for decisions and choices; they argued that even when the marriage decision is perceived to be a free choice, there is attentiveness to the family (Smart and Shipman 2004). 12 The share of shotgun marriages, i.e., extramarital conceptions resulting in marriages before birth, fell drastically from close to 60% in 197060% in to 20% in 200560% in (Prskawetz et al 2008.…”

Dádiva, família e redes Sociais

“…Fora da rede de parentesco, os nós da rede apresentam características socioeconómicas e socioculturais muito semelhantes. De um modo geral, as redes apresentam uma forte tendência para a homofilia (Degenne e Forsé, 1994: 43-46;Lin, 2001: 38-40), sobretudo entre as mulheres, como sublinharam Lynn Smith-Lovin e J. Miller McPherson (1993).…”

Single People's Geographies of Home: Intimacy and Friendship beyond ‘the Family’

“…Many, however, have challenged these theorizations, and argued that these newfound liberties are not available to all (Jamieson, 1997;Plummer, 2003;Smart and Shipman, 2004;Wilkinson and Bell, 2012). Instead, these writers have proposed that the current period is characterized by simultaneous processes of detraditionalization and retraditionalization, with the emergence of new freedoms accompanied by new forms of constraint.…”