Developing ‘Displaying Families’: A Possibility for the Future of the Sociology of Personal Life

Abstract

When Finch introduced the idea of ‘displaying family’ her principal aim was to start a discussion and encourage others ‘to refine the concept as well as to use it’ (2007: 65). We feel that this volume takes up this challenge and, in doing so, offers a discussion of emerging intellectual debates in family sociology along with contemporary accounts of meaningful family practices. As such it reflects the need for ‘grounded, contextualised studies of family and intimacy’ which also highlight the possibility of ‘alternative, yet to be explored dimensions to the way people connect with one another’ (Gillies 2003: 19).