TY - JOUR

T1 - ‘Domestic friends’

T2 - women’s friendships, motherhood and inclusive intimacy

AU - Cronin, Anne

PY - 2015/8/1

Y1 - 2015/8/1

N2 - Based on a qualitative, interview-based study of friendship, this article examines the specificity of ‘domestic friendships’ between women. Forged from the particular experiences, emotions and challenges of motherhood, they are qualitatively different from most friendships which tend to be based on individualistic connection and self-expression. Domestic friendships facilitate a specific form of ‘inclusive intimacy’ and shape an expansive experience of domestic life beyond the family or household. They help shape mothers’ sense of self as profoundly relational and interconnected with others, and channel a sense of biographical selfhood whose form and temporality is tied firmly to others’ lives.

AB - Based on a qualitative, interview-based study of friendship, this article examines the specificity of ‘domestic friendships’ between women. Forged from the particular experiences, emotions and challenges of motherhood, they are qualitatively different from most friendships which tend to be based on individualistic connection and self-expression. Domestic friendships facilitate a specific form of ‘inclusive intimacy’ and shape an expansive experience of domestic life beyond the family or household. They help shape mothers’ sense of self as profoundly relational and interconnected with others, and channel a sense of biographical selfhood whose form and temporality is tied firmly to others’ lives.

KW - Friendship

KW - motherhood

KW - domestic sphere

KW - intimacy

KW - relationality

KW - gender

KW - children

U2 - 10.1111/1467-954X.12255

DO - 10.1111/1467-954X.12255

M3 - Journal article

VL - 63

SP - 662

EP - 679

JO - The Sociological Review

JF - The Sociological Review

SN - 0038-0261

IS - 3

ER -