Open AccessIntimacy, Distance Relationships and Emotional Care
Author(s) -
Mary Holmes
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
recherches sociologiques et anthropologiques
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2033-7485
pISSN - 1782-1592
DOI - 10.4000/rsa.191
Subject(s) - reflexivity , argument (complex analysis) , globalization , geographical distance , social psychology , sociology , psychology , social science , political science , medicine , population , demography , law
The social changes surrounding individualisation and globalization impact upon our emotional and intimate lives. Geographical mobility is especially significant and its effects on relationships much debated. Distance relationships are one example of how people respond to such changes. This paper is based on an ESRC funded qualitative study of couples in distance relationships. The argument is that such forms of loving are not all about self-satisfaction, although they may prompt reflexivity about how to connect and how to care. They illustrate that embodiment must still be attended to, but may also help in rethinking care as about mutual interdependence. Practical caring is difficult within contexts of individualisation and of increased (often global) mobility, but more abstract forms of mutual emotional support take on importance