ABSTRACT

Almost all women and men claim that gender equality within their relationships is the ideal. In practice, however, equality is not predominant within many couples and families. This book develops current debates about individualisation within families – particularly how partners understand and resolve tensions between the need for togetherness and personal autonomy, and how partners view and work with increasing gender equality.

Individualism and Families is based on a large Swedish study from two of the foremost European experts on the sociology of the family. The study looks particularly at partnering, parenting, intimacy, commitments, attitudes to finances and gender divisions of labour.

chapter 1|6 pages

Introduction

chapter 2|10 pages

Gender equality in families

chapter 3|11 pages

Autonomy and togetherness

chapter 4|12 pages

Negotiations, conditions and strategies

chapter 5|25 pages

Division of labour in the household

Ideals, influence and conflicts

chapter 7|22 pages

Sharing and allocating money

chapter Chaper 8|42 pages

Posing boundaries and managing conflicts

chapter 9|15 pages

The multifaceted gender equality

chapter |5 pages

Epilogue