a discursive investigation
- Categories
- Book/Boek
- Creator
- Reynolds, Jill
- Publish Year
- 2008
- Shelfmark
- GR BR 37 2008
- Thesaurus
- alleenstaanden, relaties, identiteit, vrouwbeelden, interview (vorm), Verenigd Koninkrijk
- Description
- The increase in numbers of single people has been described as one of the greatest social phenomena of western society. Most women will spend periods of their lives alone, without a committed partner relationship. Yet there is still a degree of social stigma attached to this status. Single women are a crucial group for study in relation to perceived changes in family life and relationships. In an examination of extracts from her interviews with women aged 30 to 60 years and living alone, Reynolds explores how women deal with this potentially stigmatized identity. She focuses on identity and self-representation made by the participants. Her analysis highlights that the culturally available and familiar resources for understanding singleness are highly polarized. Single women weave their way through the extreme contrasts of a denigrated or an empowered identity. Thus, while most participants give very positive accounts, they also pay attention to widespread social expectations that success in life involves a long-term committed relationship.