EVALUATE THE CLAIM THAT SOCIAL CHANGE HAS HAD AN IMPACT ON FORMS OF INTIMACY.

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Kirsty Nagle        TMA05                        7 April 2009

EVALUATE THE CLAIM THAT SOCIAL CHANGE HAS HAD AN IMPACT ON FORMS OF INTIMACY.

Intimacy refers to a ‘familiar and very close connection with another as a result of entering deeply or closely into relationship through knowledge or experience of the other’ (Wikipedia, 2009).  Social change is a general term which refers to the transformation of cultural and social institutions over time. When behavioural patterns change in large numbers, and is visible to see, it results in social change. ‘Once there is a deviance from culturally inherited values, it may result in a rebellion against an established system, causing a change in social order’ (Wikipedia, 2009).

In this assignment I will evaluate a number of different  sociological theories and perspectives around claims, for and against, there being a link between social change and forms of intimacy. I will use examples, including different dimensions of intimacy, in order to illustrate the impact of social change on forms of intimacy. The assignment will conclude that the evidence supports the notion that forms of intimacy have changed over time and space, through the blurring of boundaries in private and public arenas of which social change is representative of.

Intimacy is a term that became popular during the 1990’s. Prior to this it was referred to as ‘personal’ or ‘primary’ relationships. Intimacy implies closeness and closeness, according to Woodward (2002, p190), is culturally specific in terms of temporality and spatiality and may in itself create changes in the way relationships are presented. The boundaries of personal or intimate relationships are not fixed in time and space, they are subject to change. Social change is representative of the blurring of these boundaries and forms new types of intimate space, personal expression and also public disclosure. Jamieson (1998) describes this new form of relationship as ‘disclosing intimacy’, meaning to constantly reveal inner thoughts and feelings to each other, speaking from a position of increased equality and equal gender relations. ‘Mutually shared intimacy of this type typically requires a relationship in which people participate as equals….across genders, generations, classes and races’ (Jamieson, 1998, p.1).  So, disclosing intimacy involves reflexivity, meaning to think and talk/communicate about relationships and emotions in a democratic way in which all parties are equal. Equality in itself suggests significant changes in social divisions and inequalities between men and women and also implies reductions in differences of social class, race and age.

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According to Woodward (2002), as people change the way that they express their feelings and thoughts, i.e.; through talk shows and internet, the boundaries between private and public are becoming blurred and that this social change is the reason that intimacy may be being transformed. There are so many different sources where one can go to seek advice on conducting personal relationships, i.e.; magazines and newspapers, one begins to wonder if personal relationships are in fact personal at all or are they socially constructed relationships, socially constructed forms of intimacy?  ‘It is apparent that such manuals are themselves part ...

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