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SAMF-Fagkomiteen for samfunnsvitenskap

Families and Memories - CFR conference in Oslo 2009

Awarded: NOK 99,999

Families construct memories as well as memories constitute families. Each family member creates different stories and biographical narratives. At the same time these stories are related to each other and there is a collectiveness in the memory-making with in a family. Memories are crucial both for the development of individual and collective identities, and they are framed by discourses such as national master narratives. Memories are centered around events experienced from birth to death. The memory is h ow the person experiences and interpretes the events. It can be either shared by other family members or kept secret from others. Memories are reprodused by language and symbolic actions for instance rituals. Some are constituted around traumatic experien ces, others are more related to everyday life. The memory making happens within social norms. Social norms regulate the person's definition of the situation and behavior. What is being talked about as well as being silenced are connected to these defini tions of situations and the social norms. How are processes of memory-making intialized, negotiated and continued, both on macro- and micro level.

Funding scheme:

SAMF-Fagkomiteen for samfunnsvitenskap