När relationer blir ett val : En kvalitativ studie om tillfälliga och långvariga relationer.

Sammanfattning

This study aims to understand how Swedish young adults reason about and justify their choices between temporary sexual relationships and long-term relationships. The study particularly focuses on how contemporary relationships patterns are shaped by individualization, digitalization and changing social norms. The study is based on qualitative interviews with heterosexual young adults, both men and women, aged 22 to 36. The data has been analyzed by Beck and Elisabeth Beck-Gernsheim's theory of “individualization” together with Morgan's perspective on “doing family”. The results show that the interviewed Swedish young adults, both men and women perceive relationships as active reflexive projects that require continuous evaluation and negotiation. Digital platforms have introduced a market logic in which potential partners are compared based on emotional and practical “ future potential”, leading to extensive risk management and information seeking in order to reduce uncertainty. A clear paradox emerges, while independence and autonomy are strongly emphasized, the ideal of long-term coupledom and the nuclear family remains a dominant normative goal. Family formation is therefore often regarded as a major life achievement that is postponed until education, career goals and economic stability have been secured. The study concludes that modern intimacy is characterized by a tension between the desire for individual freedom and the pursuit of stability through traditional relationships ideals.