The Consequences of Love: Young People and Family Practices in Difficult Circumstances

Abstract

In recent years, there has been a resurgence of sociological work exploring the importance and meaning of kinship. Much of this work has criticized the 'individualization' thesis according to which changes in family structures over time have been interpreted as reflecting a fundamental decline in family values. Highlighting continuities as well as change in family life, this work has also suggested ways to move beyond the individualization debate and to develop alternative frameworks for the study of contemporary families and personal life, notably through the analysis of related practices. For various reasons, this recent work has focused primarily on the experience and practices of adults in 'ordinary' rather than more difficult family circumstances. This article aims to complement this work by focusing on the difficult family experiences of young people affected by parental substance use. It is argued that it is important not to lose sight of such experiences in order that sociological thinking reflect the diversity of family practices and the resources available to support them, including at younger ages. In addition, the importance of developing concepts or a language facilitating the exploration and communication of the emotional and symbolic significance of these practices is emphasized.

Conflicts in Family Relations, Children's Emotions and Agency

“…When a child witnesses parental conflict, this may prompt serious concerns and fears, such as the fear of divorce (cf. Forsberg, ) that deeply threaten the child's ideal of family relationships (Wilson and others, ). Separation and divorce are part of contemporary children's social worlds, but insufficient attention has been paid to how profoundly these affect children's lives.…”

“…Heightened concern in a child can cause the child to become sensitised, and thus more vulnerable to, rather than tolerant of, the conflict situation (see Faircloth and Cummings, ; Forsberg, ). Witnessing family conflicts can also disrupt children's ideals of family relations (Wilson and others, ).…”

“…However, the positive meanings and emotions attached to the notion of family can also be problematised and destabilised by threats and dangers in family relationships, which may cause the family and home to take on negative emotional associations (e.g. Wilson and others, ). In her study on children's talk about their emotions linked to domestic violence, Forsberg () points out that a child‐centred approach requires openness towards children's own interpretations of violence and its meaning in their lives.…”

“…In her study on children's talk about their emotions linked to domestic violence, Forsberg () points out that a child‐centred approach requires openness towards children's own interpretations of violence and its meaning in their lives. In this approach, it is important to acknowledge the ambivalent nature of emotions and attend to children's personal accounts of these (Wilson and others, ).…”

Familial relational experiences of a child born into the midst of parental drug misuse and its longevity impact

“…Although there is a growing body of literature on the significance of family relationships and familial moral obligations within the context of parental drug misuse (for example, see Wilson, Conningham‐Burley, Bancroft, & Backett‐Milburn, ), there was scope for uncovering the long‐term impact poor relational experiences have on children (and, indeed, the significance of these relationships) as they progress through adolescence into adulthood. This paper considers such complexities through the use of a unique methodological approach, life story.…”