Shared households, quasi-communes and neo-tribes
Shared households, quasi-communes and neo-tribes
An increasing proportion of single young adults can expect to spend at least some of their 20-something years living in peer-shared households, defined here as households consisting of unrelated individuals living in self-contained houses and apartments. Indeed, many will also find themselves returning to such arrangements after living alone or with a partner. This article explores the nature of the relationships that exist between young people living in such households. First, using Maffesoli’s concept of ‘neo-tribalism’, the article explores the importance of proximity, shared space (both real and symbolic) and ritual to the everyday framing of relationships in peer-shared households. Second, the article considers the conditions under which some shared households may move beyond neo-tribalism to take on the characteristics of ‘quasi-communes’, marked by the institutionalization of friendship within a domestic setting. The article draws on empirical research involving 25 shared households in the south of England.
maffesoli, neo-tribalism, peer-shared households, quasicommunes, young adults
161-179
Heath, Sue
f4df85b4-fdde-4353-8641-08a4b9fbbcae
2004
Heath, Sue
f4df85b4-fdde-4353-8641-08a4b9fbbcae
Abstract
An increasing proportion of single young adults can expect to spend at least some of their 20-something years living in peer-shared households, defined here as households consisting of unrelated individuals living in self-contained houses and apartments. Indeed, many will also find themselves returning to such arrangements after living alone or with a partner. This article explores the nature of the relationships that exist between young people living in such households. First, using Maffesoli’s concept of ‘neo-tribalism’, the article explores the importance of proximity, shared space (both real and symbolic) and ritual to the everyday framing of relationships in peer-shared households. Second, the article considers the conditions under which some shared households may move beyond neo-tribalism to take on the characteristics of ‘quasi-communes’, marked by the institutionalization of friendship within a domestic setting. The article draws on empirical research involving 25 shared households in the south of England.
This record has no associated files available for download.
More information
Published date: 2004
Keywords:
maffesoli, neo-tribalism, peer-shared households, quasicommunes, young adults
Identifiers
Local EPrints ID: 34005
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/34005
ISSN: 0011-3921
PURE UUID: 35018786-9063-4a52-b844-baf0f50192c3
Catalogue record
Date deposited: 15 May 2006
Last modified: 15 Mar 2024 07:46
Export record
Altmetrics
Contributors
Author:
Sue Heath
Download statistics
Downloads from ePrints over the past year. Other digital versions may also be available to download e.g. from the publisher's website.
View more statistics