The Sociology of Family: Me, Us, and Them

Abstract

According to Norbert Elias, the concept of “the society of individuals” is what characterises contemporary European societies, whereby individuals self-define first in terms of special features and only then through a sense of belonging to a group. ‘Me’ overtakes ‘us’. It is from this perspective that the article looks at the process of individualisation that takes place within family. It describes changes connected with the intersection of the process of individualisation with conjugal relationships and relationships between parents and children. It also emphasises that this game is threefold; apart from ‘me’ and ‘us’, a role is played by ‘them’. The latter one comprises both representatives of welfare state, monitoring the application of new psychological standards, as well as other families as they compete among each other for social and educational resources.