Residential Histories and the Study of Home Creation. Methodological Insights




Edelman, Kristel; Paadam, Katrin

European Sociological Association Conference

PublisherEuropean Sociological Association

2024

ESA Conference - Abstract book

978-2-9598317-0-6

https://www.europeansociology.org/media/e68213f0-f856-4c07-9288-301b2d153fd0



Residential histories have only rarely gained a prominent methodological position in the field of urban and residential/housing studies. In the current article, we discuss resourcefulness of this specific methodology adopted for contributing to an understanding of the process of home creation as interrelated with construction of identities, particularly, in everyday life circumstances. We argue that residential histories enable detailed, non-linear interpretation of representations of individuals’ entire residential experiences which are intertwined with unique experiences in other fields of social conduct. Discussion on methodological insights draws as on previous research on urban housing/residential histories but more specifically on research which focusses on home creation in intercultural partnership (involving choice of residence and home design). Our study supports the understanding that process of home creation significantly contributes to individual well-being in changing everyday life situation, more in the context where different cultures meet in the privacy of home, assuming adjustments also on wider realm of new culture and society. The analysis is based on data from 44 individual biographical narrative interviews and on-site (as well as virtual) tours at homes of intercultural couples who reside in various residential settings of European cities, in one of the partner’s countries of origin. While we provide insights into possible directions analysis could take, we emphasise the role of local partner and the role of newcomer in a process of home creation where trust is on the bases of partner relations. We also analyse partner’s relations with their home spaces to gain deeper understanding of how everyday practices of home design contribute to construction of positive identity and dispositions towards encountering potential challenges along the way of creating home across cultures.



Last updated on 2025-26-03 at 13:13