Obligation and choice : aspects of family and kinship in seventeenth century County Durham
The thesis seeks to explore alleged differences in kinship and family relations within County Durham, an area of wide geographical, social and economic diversity. A study of recognition that reveals that kinship ties were narrow and fell into a distinctly English pattern, a pattern which appears independent of considerations of wealth. Only the life cycle appears to have influenced patterns of recognition. Wider kin also appear to have been of limited importance as a source of support, with individuals preferring to rely upon the aid of neighbours and members of the nuclear family. This relatively narrow 9attern of recognition and support stands in sharp contrast to the strong ties formed within and through the nuclear family. The detailed study of inheritance, marriage and conflict not only reinforces the earlier findings concerning the limited importance of wider kin but also suggests that strong and specific ties of obligation and expectation governed relationships formed within the nuclear family. Such findings suggest the need to revise the assumption which regard English society as being highly 'individualistic'.
Issa, Christine
HQ616.D9I8 ; Families--England
Obligation and choice : aspects of family and kinship in seventeenth century County Durham. The thesis seeks to explore alleged differences in kinship and family relations within County Durham, an area of wide geographical, social and economic diversity. A study of recognition that reveals that kinship ties were narrow and fell into a distinctly English pattern, a pattern which appears independent of considerations of wealth. Only the life cycle appears to have influenced patterns of recognition. Wider kin also appear to have been of limited importance as a source of support, with individuals preferring to rely upon the aid of neighbours and members of the nuclear family. This relatively narrow 9attern of recognition and support stands in sharp contrast to the strong ties formed within and through the nuclear family. The detailed study of inheritance, marriage and conflict not only reinforces the earlier findings concerning the limited importance of wider kin but also suggests that strong and specific ties of obligation and expectation governed relationships formed within the nuclear family. Such findings suggest the need to revise the assumption which regard English society as being highly 'individualistic'.
obligation choice aspect family kinship county_durham seek_explore alleged difference kinship family relation within county_durham area wide_geographical social_economic diversity study recognition reveals kinship tie narrow fell distinctly english pattern pattern appear independent consideration wealth life_cycle appear influenced pattern recognition wider kin also_appear limited importance source support individual prefer rely_upon aid neighbours member nuclear family relatively narrow recognition support stand sharp_contrast strong tie form within nuclear family detail_study inheritance marriage conflict reinforces earlier finding concern limited importance wider kin also_suggest strong specific tie obligation expectation govern relationship form within nuclear family finding_suggest need revise assumption_regard english_society highly individualistic