Conceptualising the Personal (Morgan)

Cheatsheet Content

Introduction: The Sociological Personal Core Idea: Our personal lives (relationships, feelings, home) are deeply connected to and shaped by society, history, culture, and power. Thesis: Personal life is not separate from society; it's where society meets the individual. 1. The Meaning of "Personal" Common Definition: Refers to things belonging to an individual; suggests intimacy, secrecy, privacy. Everyday Examples: "Personal reasons" for quitting a job (private life). "Don't take it personally" (don't attack inner self). "In my personal opinion" (separation from institutional view). Sociological View: "Personal" is a boundary we draw to protect individual identity from the outside world. 2. Public vs. Private: The Great Divide The Public World: Includes state, government, workplace, politics. Characterized by strict rules, professionalism, formality, distance. Individuals treated as citizens/employees, not "whole" people. The Personal/Private World: Includes family, close friends, home. Place for relaxation, sharing true feelings, being treated as individuals. Switching Roles: Individuals act differently in these two worlds (e.g., stern judge vs. playful grandparent). Function: The personal world provides an escape from public pressures. 3. The Social Side of the Personal The Myth: Personal life is based 100% on individual choice ("I love who I want"). The Reality: Society subtly shapes personal choices. Social Scripts: Society provides "scripts" for personal life. Example: "Good mother" expectations (sacrificing, caring). Example: Gender roles in relationships. Key Point: Even in private, we are influenced by social norms and culture. The personal is inherently social. 4. Personal Life, Power, and Inequalities Power's Reach: Power exists not only in government but also within homes and relationships. Gender Inequality: Women often do majority of unpaid care work (cooking, cleaning, elder care) – often framed as "labor of love," but sociologically seen as unequal labor. Men may hold more decision-making power in traditional families. Class and Caste: "Personal" choices like marriage partners are often limited by class, caste, or religion. Wealth shapes personal life experiences (e.g., access to domestic help vs. limited personal time due to long work hours). Conclusion: Personal life is not an escape from inequality; it's a site where social inequalities are reproduced daily. 5. Family as the Center of Personal Life Traditional View: Family is synonymous with "personal life" and seen as society's foundation. Support & Love: Primary source of care, emotional support, and vulnerability. The Dark Side: Can be a place of conflict, violence, and control (e.g., domestic violence). Changing Families: "Family" now includes diverse forms beyond traditional nuclear (single-parent, cohabitation, same-sex, living alone). Sociology must study all these. 6. Friendship and New Relationships Importance: Friends increasingly serve as "new family" due to distant/broken family ties. Choice vs. Blood: Friendship is a chosen relationship, based on mutual liking, making it a "pure" form of personal life. Modern Ties: Includes "work wives/husbands," online friendships. Sociological Shift: Focus on "networks of intimacy" (web of friends/relatives) beyond just marriage. 7. Home and Personal Space Meaning: More than a building; a place of safety, identity, memories. Frontstage vs. Backstage: Outside home (frontstage): Performance for the world. Inside home (backstage): Relaxation, authenticity. Control within Home: Not equally "free" for all. Teenagers: Room as private space. Women: Home often a workplace (kitchen, laundry). Elderly: May feel trapped. Key Point: Control over home space reflects power dynamics in personal life. 8. Emotions and Intimacy Sociology of Emotions: Emotions (anger, love, sadness) are socially constructed, not just biological. Feeling Rules: Society dictates how and when to express emotions (e.g., "boys don't cry," expected sadness at funerals). Intimacy: Deep closeness and trust, involving self-disclosure beyond just sex. Plastic Sexuality (Giddens): Modern relationships based on emotional satisfaction and happiness, not just duty or economic necessity. 9. Boundaries of the Personal (Blurring Lines) State Intervention: Government influences personal life. Marriage laws, child protection, divorce settlements. Market Intervention: Companies invade personal life. Social media tracking, work emails intruding on family time. Conclusion: The public/personal boundary is fluid and constantly shifting. 10. Conclusion: Why Study Personal Life? Connecting Micro and Macro: Reveals how large societal forces (economy, state, culture) impact individual lives. Understanding Identity: Helps comprehend self-identity, which is shaped by personal relationships. Summary: "Conceptualising the Personal" means recognizing that our most private moments are profoundly human, social, and significant.