Spain is one of the countries that has been most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic worldwide. As a southern European country, Spain is characterized by high levels of sociability and the vital role of the family in its social structure. The intense confinement phase raised many questions about how the Spanish family would adapt to this crisis. This study analyzes the consequences of confinement on three areas of family life: the emotional state of its members, family relationships inside and outside the home, and the impact of ICTs on families in isolation. Only statistically representative data published by Spain’s main research institutes are used for this study. The results highlight the important adaptive capacity of the Spanish family, the activation of solidarity networks and the improvement in internal and external family relationships. This situation has served to accelerate the development of new technologies in the domestic sphere, with effects on the communicative relationship between its members and to open the debate on teleworking as a tool for reconciliation of work and family life.

In recent years there has been increased interest in couples Living Apart Together (LAT) within the sociology of the family in Europe. One of the main questions concerns understanding their evolution over time. Given the lack of longitudinal data, the present study focuses as a proxy to study the perception LATs hold of their future and the influencing factors. Based on data from the Generations and Gender Survey (GGS), a sample of 5253 people in LAT relationships was taken from seven European countries. The results show that the future intentions of these couples are conditioned by the understanding of the family in different European countries, the age of its members and, above all, the social pressure exerted by family and friends to live together and/or marry.

His lines of research have focused on sociology of the family, the third sector and social welfare. He is currently director of the Research Department of the Spain's Center for Sociological Research.

ResumenEl fenómeno de los Living Apart Together (LAT) hace referencia a parejas que no conviven habitualmente en la misma residencia. En España este fenómeno ha proliferado en los últimos años como consecuencia del retraso en la emancipación familiar. Sin embargo, esta conceptualización agrupa realidades sociales muy diversas. Este estudio analiza una muestra de 692 mujeres en LAT de entre 20 y 79 años procedentes del Estudio 2.639, Fecundidad y valores en la España del siglo XXI, elaborado por el Centro de Estudios Sociológico (CIS) en 2006. En España existe un 8% de mujeres en esta situación, de las cuales, un 60% pueden considerarse como noviazgos. Este fenómeno afecta a todos los estados civiles, con características sociodemográficas y actitudinales diferentes. Existe un 11% de "alternativas" a las uniones convencionales. Se identifican como la persona principal del hogar y rechazan el matrimonio; su perfil responde a mujeres de mediana edad, independientes laboralmente y con hijos. PALAbRAs CLAveCohabitación; Emparejamientos; Emancipación; Matrimonios; Segundas uniones. AbstRACtThe phenomenon of the Living Apart Together (LAT) names partnerships that do not live habitually in the same residence. In Spain this phenomenon has increased in the last years as consequence of the retard in the familiar emancipation. Nevertheless, this conceptualization groups into social very diverse realities. This study analyzes a sample of 692 women in LAT between 20 and 79 years proceeding from Estudio 2,639, Fecundidad y valores en la España del siglo XXI elaborated by the CIS in 2006. In Spain there are 8% of women in this situation, of which 60% can be considered to be engagements. This phenomenon concerns all the marital statuses, with social characteristics and different attitudes. There are 11% of "alternative" LAT to the conventional unions. They identify as the principal person of the home and reject the marriage; his profile answers to women of medium age, work independent and with children.

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