The transnationalisation of intimacy: family relations and changes in an age of global mobility and digital media

Abstract

This chapter develops the 'transnationalisation of intimacy' as a conceptual lens to critically investigate the performance, embodiment and negotiation of transnational familial intimacy in a fast-evolving globalising and digital society. This is achieved by conducting a state-ofthe-art review of theories and empirical studies on family relations and practices in a transnational context. We discuss how transnational familial intimacy is shaped by the conflation of structural and technological forces, which at once reinforces and challenges social and cultural norms of the family. We first show that intimate family practices are engendered and undermined by mobility regimes and infrastructures. We then illuminate how communicative practices pave the way for transnational linkages. However, inequalities may play out in the transnationalisation of familial intimacy, especially when material and symbolic forces are embedded in an unequal terrain. Finally, we consider the implications of transnationalism for (de)normalising family relations and practices, in creating distinctive, new transnational forms of intimacy between family members. In sum, this chapter draws attention to the mutually constitutive nature of transnationalism and changing family relations in a global and digital age.

Older adults’ digital intergenerational contact during COVID-19: Patterns, predictors, and associations with subjective well-being across Europe

“…In today's polymedia environment, individuals have access to multiple modes of digital contact, including phone calls, text messaging (including via email and chat applications), and video calls (Madianou & Miller, 2013). Based on their differential access to digital technology, digital literacy, and preferences, individuals often adopt distinct (combinations of) digital technologies to maintain contact with family (Cabalquinto & Hu, 2023).…”

“…Diverse modes of digital contact provide users with different types and levels of sociality (Adolf & Deicke, 2015;Cabalquinto & Hu, 2023). Phone calls, one of the most prevalent modes of contact, allow people to connect in real time, but with interactions largely limited to audio exchanges (Madianou & Miller, 2013).…”

“…Lacking audibility and visuality, textual digital contact does little to simulate in-person interactions (ibid.). The COVID-19 pandemic played a crucial role in making video calls mainstream in everyday family communication (Freedman et al, 2022;Hu & Qian, 2021), although regular video calls have been a common feature of the lives of migrant families for quite some time (Cabalquinto & Hu, 2023).…”

“…As a result, distinct modes of digital contact may relate to people's subjective well-being in different ways (Choi et al, 2022). Moreover, instead of choosing one mode of digital contact over another, individuals may combine different modes in distinctive ways (Cabalquinto & Hu, 2023). The literature on older people's digital inclusion has suggested that as older people use phone calls as a major mode of digital contact, their adoption of messaging and video calls may be limited (Freedman et al, 2022;Knowles & Hanson, 2018).…”

“…via FaceTime, Zoom, and Skype) (Madianou & Miller, 2013). Characterised by distinctive configurations of audibility, instantaneity, and visuality, different modes of digital contact not only hinge on differential access to digital technologies and technological know-how; they also have varying implications for people's well-being (Cabalquinto & Hu, 2023). Based on their digital access, literacy, and preferences, individuals often use a combination of digital technologies to maintain family contact (Madianou & Miller, 2013).…”