OVERVIEW

The course offers a critical introduction to the main sociological perspectives for the study of the family understood as a relational configuration, social institution and everyday practice. Starting from an analysis of the plurality of contemporary family forms, the course focuses on gender dynamics, intergenerational relations and the challenges of global mobility. Specific attention will be devoted to the role of the social worker as a professional called upon to engage with family relations by critically and reflexively analysing the normative models in use.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

An in-deep knowledge on family transformation in current society

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

By the end of the course, students will be able to:

• Understand the theoretical categories of doing family and the morphological transformations of contemporary families.
• Analyse the impact of gender and generational order on the organisation of everyday life and care work.
• Develop a critical perspective on the concept of "intensive parenting" and the risks of parental determinism in child protection and family counselling services.
• Apply these competencies in the professional practice of Social Work to build inclusive and equitable helping relationships.

PREREQUISITES

not specific prerequisites are required

TEACHING METHODS

The course employs an integrated teaching approach:

• Lectures.
• Discussion of case studies and thematic in-depth analyses.
• "Reflexive analysis" exercises on excerpts from social work reports or professional interview transcripts.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The course programme will revolve around the following macro-topics:

• The plurality of family models in non-Western contexts
• Doing family and everyday life
• Gender, generations and asymmetries in care
• Mobility, borders and cultural differences
• Pluralisation and destandardisation of life courses
• Intensive parenting and professional practices

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Satta, C., Magaraggia, S., Camozzi, I. (2020) Sociologia della vita famigliare. Soggetti, contesti e nuove prospettive. Carocci: Roma.

Sità, C. (2017), "La genitorialità intensiva e le sue implicazioni per la relazione tra genitori e professionisti", In Consultori Familiari Oggi, 25(2), pp. 45-55 (download at https://consultorifamiliarioggi.it/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/CfO-2-2017-Sit%C3%A0.pdf)

One volume to be chosen from:

• Lanini C. (2024), Famiglie straniere e tutela dei minori. Un’analisi del discorso sulla genitorialità, Ombre Corte: Verona.
• Nicola, F. (2017), Super mamme e super papà. Il mestiere di genitori fra gli USA e noi, Meltemi: Milano.
• Ferrero, L. (2025) Contrabbando di vita. Prigionia, genere e riproduzione in Palestina, Carocci: Roma.
• Quagliariello, C. (2017) L'isola dove non si nasce. Lampedusa tra esperienze procreative, genere e riproduzione, Unicopli: Milano.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

FILIPPO TORRE (President Substitute)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

The course will be held in the second semester, starting from 1 March.

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Oral interview.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The examination consists of an oral test.

Students will be assessed on their capacity for critical analysis of the phenomena studied and their knowledge of the sociological theories examined, as well as their use of discipline-specific terminology.

Students will be assessed on their knowledge of the assigned texts and their ability to critically discuss the transformations of the family in contemporary society in light of the main research findings and theories.

Students who have valid certification of disability or Specific Learning Desorders (DSA) on file with the University may request the use of compensatory measures during the exams (e.g. additional time, concept maps, modifications in the written/oral mode), following the guidelines (p. 5) published here.  The students can contact the professor Lagomarsino for futher informations about specific needs. In any case, please contact the Department’s disability liaison: Isa.Fanlo@unige.it