Plurality of Families: Forms, Relationships, Experiences

In contemporary societies, significant changes in both societal structure and individual lifestyles have resulted in the growing diversity of family life. However, at both the national and international levels, there is still abundance of discourses which reinforce the narrow definition of "ideal" family types by relying on heteronormative and patriarchal structures in their definition. Steps toward equality based on gender and sexual orientation enhance not only individual rights, but also introduce fundamental shifts in our understanding and imaginations of families. Our goal for this interim meeting is to challenge the narrow and restrictive discourses on an idealized family type and achieve a more inclusive sociological understanding of families by emphasizing the plurality of family forms, relationships, practices and experiences.

International research has introduced new venues for studying families from intersectional, decolonial, and non-heteronormative perspectives. We open our call for proposals on the broader exploration of diverse family ties and experiences, taking into account the individual, interactional, and structural level factors shaping them. We welcome papers that examine how social policies, multiple crises, social movements and demographic transitions limit or enable this diversity.

This thematic orientation does not preclude any other proposals focused on this field. We most certainly welcome theoretical, methodological, or empirical papers that explore alternative research venues on family and intimate lives as well.