Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Marriage is, though, becoming less esteemed and popular in 'Western'
societies, which are experiencing a new era of 'de-traditionalisation' and
'individualisation' (Duncan & Smith, 2006). Traditional social structures,
including family, are declining, to be replaced by a concern for 'the self '
(Duncan & Phillips, 2008). 'Non-traditional families such as divorced, step-
families and single parents are now the norm … [and] the term “family” no
longer fits with traditional perceptions of a married couple with children'
(Jenkins
et al.
, 2009: 28). The individualisation view is that friends are in-
creasingly at the core of new, more fluid relationships as 'families of choice';
gay men and lesbian women are regarded as the epitome of this.
Connection with and commitment to others do, however, remain a
strong value, though not necessarily in the traditional form. Cohabitation
is widely regarded as an equally acceptable form of relationship as marriage
(only 19% of respondents to the 2006 British Social Attitudes Survey
disagreed) (Duncan & Phillips, 2008). In practice, 'family' remains highly
regarded in terms of reliability and dependability, and most people still feel
some obligation to it. Generally, while there is more flexibility and choice
about relationships, certain social bonds remain strong.
Same-Sex Families
The different-sex two-partner relationship sanctioned by a legal (and often
religious) ceremony does not correspond with non-heterosexual life. Legal
recognition of same-sex partnerships is only a recent occurrence - as in the
form of marriage in five US states, including Massachusetts (since 2004).
Elsewhere in the world, same-sex marriages are legal in only a small number
of countries, such as Spain, Canada, The Netherlands, Argentina and South
Africa. Legal recognition of other forms such as civil partnerships in UK is
more widespread (18 countries in 2010) but not universal.
Same-sex relationships have therefore developed without legal or social
sanction and in an unrestricted and largely unique way (Adam, 2006). There
has been no 'guidance' as to how same-sex individuals should or could relate
to each other, other than from gay or lesbian cultures. Criminalisation of
same-sex sexual activity (until liberalisation in the mid-20th century) and
continuing discrimination and disapproval have restricted the overt develop-
ment of relationships and have influenced their form (Hughes, 2006).
Gay and lesbian people have long formed same-sex relationships that
operated as family, regardless of the lack of legal or religious sanction.
Many have identified 'family' more with a network of friends - 'families of
choice' - than with families of origin (Nardi, 1992; Weeks
et al
., 1999). This
is particularly likely where they have experienced rejection by their own
blood families. They may extend to 'families' centred on political or social
change or healthcare (Demo & Allen, 1996; Oswald, 2002). Relationships
that differ from the heterosexual norm may be purposely chosen and valued,
