info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/EC/FP7/338452/EU/Citizenship, Care and Choice: The Micropolitics of Intimacy in Southern Europe

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Primary Data

Project title

Code

info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/EC/FP7/338452/EU/Citizenship, Care and Choice: The Micropolitics of Intimacy in Southern Europe

Project Coordinator

Santos, Ana Cristina

Organization

CES – Centre for Social Studies

Status

Closed

Start date

01-03-2014

Expected Completion

28-02-2019

Co-Investigator(s)

Santos, Ana Lúcia
Gusmano, Beatrice
Moreira, Luciana
Esteves, Mafalda
Pérez Navarro, Pablo
Motterle, Tatiana

Changes in personal life in recent decades illustrate significant socio-cultural transformations. However, the focus of mainstream sociological literature has been the heterosexual, monogamous and reproductive couple, with little research exploring non-conventional intimacy in Southern Europe. INTIMATE’s main aim is to contribute to legal, policy and cultural innovation through the findings of a comparative, empirically-grounded, research project designed to rethink citizenship, care and choice from the point of view of non-standard intimacies (Berlant and Warner, 2000) in three contrasting Southern European countries: Italy, Portugal and Spain. Guided by the fundamental sociological question of how change takes place and, concomitantly, how law and social policy adjust to and/or shape the practices and expectations of individuals concerning personal life, this research will address intimacy from the perspective of those on the margins of social, legal and policy concerns in Southern Europe – lesbians, gay men, bisexuals and transgendered people. INTIMATE is based on 3 strands – Strand 1: the micropolitics of partnering; Strand 2: the micropolitics of parenting; and Strand 3: the micropolitics of friendship. The notion of micropolitics enables a double focus on everyday practices and expectations (biographic dimension) within the wider contextual framework of law and social policy (socio-legal dimension). This qualitative research involves conducting 6 cross-national qualitative studies across the strands of partnering, parenting and friendship in each of the chosen countries. The topics covered are lesbian coupledom, polyamorous relationships, assisted conception and surrogacy, naming a child, transgender and care, and living with friends in adult life. Expected results include a range of both international and national publications targeting academia and beyond, thematic conferences and participatory workshops, policy briefs, media briefs and an interactive website.

Keyword(s)

Intimate citizenship, Family, Sexuality, Social policies, Southern Europe, LGBT