Work

Bare Fridges and Burnt Tortillas: Conflictual Moments in the Making of Coupledom

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: This article investigates how conflicts emerge and unfold among newly cohabiting couples during the daily practices of making and sharing dinner. Adopting a ‘moments approach’, findings from an ethnographic study involving 12 couples reveal how conflictual moments emerge from clashes between individuals’ dispositions regarding responsibilities (who does what), standards (what is appropriate) and techniques (how things are done). Clashes are reflected upon through a process of zooming in and zooming out where conflicting gendered, classed and cultural dispositions emerge. At the conceptual level, conflictual moments are identified as epistemic and affective scenarios revealing broader structural and socio-cultural inequalities permeating domestic life of heterosexual couples.

Source: Sociology

DOI: 10.1177/00380385251331388

Authors: Ratna Khanijou, Benedetta Cappellini, Sameer Hosany

Institutions: Goldsmiths University of London, Durham University, Royal Holloway University of London

Language: English

Topic: Family Dynamics and Relationships

Subfield: Demography

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Gender equality

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,900