The Bonds and Burdens of Family Life: Using Narrative Analysis to Understand Difficult Relationships

Authors

  • Mary Breheny Massey University
  • Christine Stephens Massey University

Abstract

Attempts to understand difficult family relationships have ignored the inextricable links between positive and negative relationships. Narrative analysis provides insight into complex relationships within social context. We analysed interviews with older people in New Zealand using levels of narrativity to reveal the negotiations required to manage personal identity at the intersection of competing public narratives. Participants and interviewers used public narratives of family life that reinforce family roles while simultaneously drawing upon alternative narratives of identity and morality. Investigating narratives of difficult family relationships reveals the influence of dominant social norms on the negotiation of social identities through personal stories.

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Published

2011-12-12

How to Cite

Breheny, M., & Stephens, C. (2011). The Bonds and Burdens of Family Life: Using Narrative Analysis to Understand Difficult Relationships. Narrative Works, 1(2). Retrieved from https://journals.lib.unb.ca/index.php/NW/article/view/18795

Issue

Vol. 1 No. 2 (2011)

Section

Articles

License

Copyright for articles published in Narrative Works is retained by the author(s), with first publication rights granted to Narrative Works. By virtue of their appearance in this open access journal, articles are free to use, with proper attribution, in educational and other non-commercial settings.