Beschreibung:
<jats:p>This paper stems from grounded theory applied on evidence gathered together
by interviews and observations of 30 couples (60 men and women) from
Belgrade. The field research has been a part of a wider one named Policy of
Parenthood, carried out in 2013/14, by the Institute for sociological
research of the Faculty of Philosophy. We deployed methodological
individualism, aimed at conceptualizing various behavioral patterns of
couples undergoing major transition from marriage into parenthood. We first
undertook in depth analysis of all couples, who represented a variety of
coping strategies throughout three main phases: before childbirth
(preparatory phase), childbearing (central phase) and aftermath
(reconstitution of a group). We have then selected three couples, which
identify specific modes of ?crisis management? following family
transformation. Couples were given specific labels conveying clear meanings
as of their prevalent behavioral styles: the first one - ?intelligentsia?,
the second one - very proactive, ?strategists? and finally - ?defeatists?. In
this paper, unlike vast majority of domestic qualitative researches and case
studies, the three couples were analyzed as a whole, thus gradually and
integrally disclosing their life phases and social biographical context. The
prior insight into the overall evidence enabled us to construct semantic
units (nodes) and subordinated codes, latter ones covering concrete meanings
conveyed by couples (dimensions). Interpretation of each and every couple is
followed by a comparative discussion of (dis)similarities of their
sentiments, behaviors and action potentials. Our main idea was to demonstrate
as to what extent individuals and couples critically reflect upon themselves,
their partnership, and life course; what is their reference toward current
and future state of affairs. We also investigated whether they clearly pose
any specific prospective goal in terms of personal and social advancement and
if so, which strategy do they intend to enact. Our research was also
undertaken with the goal to assess ability of a couple to establish a control
over itself and social settings along with the social stress. We deemed it as
a way partners and individuals dispose their personal capacity for change,
i.e. active social integration in ever changing environment, which is,
supposedly, belated but necessary individual strategy for globally running
second modernization.</jats:p>