Föräldraskapets påverkan på individen ur ett individualiseringsperspektiv

This paper is about parenting, family and the effect of individualization on the individual.Individualization is a global process that is going on in society. It contributes to making the individual focus on the individual, thus contravening the collective. Individualization has led to uncertain conditions for mankind. Traditional values and gender roles are abolishing at the same time as the individual are becoming more and more tied to a demanding labour market. Family represents a fixed point in life and has therefore become more important to the individual.Life has become a planning project with the goal of risk minimization. That also includes relationships, which have become highly exchangeable. Parenthood is a relationship that isn´t exchangeable, as a parent you are linked to your child. According to individualization theory, this can be perceived as both an obstacle and attraction for the individual.Four couple has been intervjued, two without children and two with children, to gain insight into the couples view on parenthood. The empirical data has been presented as four case descriptions, the ambivalent couple, the couple in preparation stage, the family oriented couple and the traditional couple.The case descriptions show various shapes of the family and the diversity it can entail. It is also clear that the ongoing individualization process has affected the couples in various degrees, ranging from very little to comprehensively.Validerat; 20150626 (global_studentproject_submitter