Introduction to Research Handbook on Partnering across the Life Course

Dimitri Mortelmans, Laura Bernardi and Brienna Perelli-Harris

Chapter Chapter 1 in Research Handbook on Partnering across the Life Course, 2025, pp 1-12 from Edward Elgar Publishing

Abstract: This Research Handbook explores the complex dynamics of partnerships in modern society. It transcends traditional demographic studies of union dynamics, delving into the evolution of relationships from marriages to various forms of unions, including unmarried cohabitation and out-of-wedlock births. The volume adopts an interdisciplinary approach, encompassing insights from psychology, anthropology, sociology, and demography, to provide a holistic understanding of partnerships across different cultures and socioeconomic contexts. Central to the book is the concept of the “family kaleidoscope,” highlighting the diversity and beauty of partnership forms. It emphasises the fluidity and multiplicity of partnership definitions shaped by cultural, historical, and personal factors. The Research Handbook addresses key topics such as arranged partnerships, online dating, LGBTQ relationships, and the implications of union dissolution and repartnering. The volume also explores the concept of partnership through the lenses of love, commitment, institutions, and living arrangements, reflecting on how these aspects have evolved alongside societal changes. It highlights the increasing acceptance of non-traditional relationship forms, such as singlehood and same-sex partnerships, and the complexities arising from them. By integrating various theoretical and empirical perspectives, this Research Handbook offers a comprehensive view of the changing landscape of human partnerships, illuminating the intricate interplay between individual life course trajectories, societal norms, and legal frameworks in shaping modern relationships.

Keywords: Partnering; Life course; Diversity; Family science (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
ISBN: 9781803923376
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