Displaying families : a new concept for the sociology of family life

This volume assesses how the concept of 'displaying families' can contribute to a better understanding of contemporary family and personal life. Using this concept, contributors discuss how family life must not only be 'done' but also be 'seen to be done'. Contributors to this volume address how scholars can 'think with' displaying families both as a concept and an activity of contemporary families by applying the idea to a range of new empirical studies. With chapters written by leading experts in family and childhood research, this book provides a major new contribution to the field of sociology of family and personal life. The wide-ranging collection will appeal to international scholars interested in families, childhood and intimacy, within sociology, geography, social work and anthropology, and covers issues such as gender, sexuality, ethnicity, space, work-life balance and consumption.