Transformations of the normal? ‘Doing Family’ in post-traditional family constellations in Bavaria

This subproject aims to empirically examine families based on 'elective co-parenting', i.e., families in which the parents consciously do not live or have not lived in a romantic partnership, but instead consciously decide on and jointly shape their parenthood within the framework of a binding division of labor or friendship. This form is understood as an expression of social transformation processes which, although not (yet) particularly relevant in quantitative terms, may be analytically revealing for the future of family forms.

The project uses qualitative methods of empirical social research to reconstruct the inner workings of these hitherto little-researched constellations of 'doing family'. The project is particularly interested in the everyday lives and self-image of these families in Bavaria. It aims to reconstruct how these families see themselves, how they address 'transformation', and what demands they may have on politics in general, and on housing, urban, family, and education policy in Bavaria, as well as family law, in particular. The analysis of intersectional inequalities in the structure of social classes, milieus, gender, and region is also relevant here.

Subproject of the Bavarian Research Association ForFamily: "Family Life in Bavaria – Empirical Insights into Transformations, Resources, and Negotiations."