The (re)modernization of family life and the (re)configuration of social networks

What does processes of reflexive modernization mean for communality in everyday family life? This paper analyzes the change and stability in social networks and family relationship of adults during the period from 2003 to 2014 in Denmark. Based on longitudinal survey data with a panel of individuals, borne in 1968 and living in Denmark, this paper analyzes how the centrality of household members and kin relations in the everyday life of adults, have changed during 2003-2014. The first wave of data was collected in 2003 (n=1003) using Computer Assisted Telephone Interview. The second wave was collected during November and December 2014 (n=467) using a web-based adaptation of the original survey. We call this survey SONEFAL, Social Networks and FAmily Life (in Danish IFUSOFF) (Dencik & Westerling 2004). Analysis of the data from wave 1 documents how the 35year old mainly oriented towards the other members of their household and immediate kin in everyday life (Westerling 2008, 2010, Dencik et. al. 2008). The primary members of the social networks of the 35year olds were spouses, children and parents: generally the respondents had both a high frequency of contact and diverse forms of interactions with these categories of people. This paper investigates the changes in these networks after more than 10 years, and analyzes these findings informed by theories of reflexive modernization (Beck 1994, Beck et. al. 2003).