Intimacies, Relationships and Family

This subject introduces students to the sociology of family life. The subject will start with a broad focus covering key theoretical perspectives on the family and personal life and examining the political and cultural context of family life. A key theme of the subject will be to identify the ways in which family life is changing and exploring the implications of those changes for individuals, society and social policy. The subject will examine social and demographic trends in marriage, fertility, cohabitation, singlehood and the organisation of paid and unpaid work in families and households. Other issues and topics that will be addressed including: gender and family life, dating and relationship formation, the impact of reproductive technologies, same-sex relationships, 'boomerang' kids and fatherhood.