Family Developmental Processes

Existential Field 2: Family Developmental Processes

The report on Family Developmental Processes has been written by Carmen Leccardi & Miriam Perego, at the Department of Sociology and Social Research at the University of Milan-Bicocca in Italy.

Keywords: family forms, social and cultural change, transition to adulthood, changing relations in the couple, intergenerational relations, new parenthood.

Abstract:In the existential field “Family Developmental Processes” the processes of the development of the family will be dealt with in the first place taking into consideration the principle changes taking place in the forms and structures of the family and at the same time describing the cultural processes that lie behind them: individualisation, the subjectivisation of norms and changes in the relations between the genders. Subsequently, analysis of the new forms of the family will be developed by focusing attention on the point of view of the subjects involved in “making families” and on the modifications in the roles and the kinds of family relations that different positions in the life course bring with them. Thus, in this context consideration will be given to the different types of relationship that come to be constructed in this way (for example, between children and parents, between partners, married or otherwise, and between grandparents, children and grandchildren). Within this general framework some specific trends in the European family today are also identified.

1st trend. The prolonged presence of young people within the family of origin: In this respect we focus in particular on the role of the negotiation-and-affection based family.

2nd trend. Young people and parenthood: the new representations of parenthood among young people. Here the transformations in gender roles, in men’s and women’s identities, and in the division of care will be considered. The new work-life balance in the return to work of young parents after the birth of their first child will also be taken into consideration.

3rd trend. Conjugal instability: Here we deal with the pre-conditions, the modalities, the social and cultural consequences of divorce on family life and on gender identities.

4th trend. The new role of grandparents: We pay attention to the new social and cultural profile of grandparents. On the one hand, they draw satisfaction from their role as providers of support to children and grandchildren, and on the other (in cases where their health is good), they start anew planning their life.

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