Open AccessAnalyzing Social Ties in Total Institutions
Author(s) -
David Wästerfors
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
qualitative sociology review
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 1733-8077
DOI - 10.18778/1733-8077.8.2.02
Subject(s) - interpersonal ties , institution , ethnography , sociology , isolation (microbiology) , social institution , family ties , social isolation , criminology , gender studies , social science , psychology , anthropology , genealogy , history , microbiology and biotechnology , psychotherapist , biology
A common view is that an individual delinquent can be rehabilitated in a “home” in the countryside, away from his or her original urban social ties. An ironic result is new social ties with other juvenile delinquents as they spend a considerable amount of time together at a secluded institution. Drawing on ethnographic studies in residential care institutions, this article discusses two aspects to consider when analyzing social ties in such settings: the institutional prerequisites for and the everyday achievement of isolation and intimacy.