Award Winners for Volume 24
Relations of Intimacy and Family in the Thought of Anthony Giddens
Anthony Giddens is one of the most widely published sociologists of the twentieth century. He is one of the most important theorists of the concepts of agency, reflexivity, intimacy, and numerous others. This article examines Giddens’ perspective on family, intimacy, and structural changes in close relationships. The article follows the main theses of this author and gives them a new perspective through the main critics and ideas applied in contemporary research. Giddens places the consideration of intimacy and family within the framework of late modernity, which he sees as a radicalization of the consequences of the development of modern society. The transformation of intimacy is an aspect of contemporary human identity that is viewed reflexively. Today’s society is characterized by a high rate of marriage, divorce, and remarriage, and life circumstances are changing more and more frequently. Giddens sees so-called pure relationships as a new form of expression of intimacy and discusses their position in relation to structural elements of contemporary society, risks, democratization, and individual reflexivity. Based on the analysis of Giddens work and his main critics, the article argues that it is necessary to approach the ideal of a pure relationship by working towards openness and confidential communication in intimate relationships.
The author's interest in this topic arises from studying everyday micro-interactions and their evolution within contemporary society. This paper focuses on Giddens' concept of the "pure relationship," which provides valuable insights into the nature of intimate relationships. Giddens highlights the democratization of relationships within families, between partners, and among friends, emphasizing that such relationships become self-referential—sustained by mutual trust and emotional communication rather than external factors such as religion or local traditions.
The paper examines selected studies that demonstrate the explanatory potential of Giddens' ideas on intimacy and underscores the need for a more systematic exploration of these themes. The transformation of intimacy must be analyzed in relation to gender orientations, class structures, religiosity, ethnicity, and other aspects of fragmented identities. Additionally, the discussion highlights the influence of broader social circumstances on intimacy, including the COVID-19 pandemic, economic crises, and the risks associated with war.
Furthermore, the paper stresses the importance of continuously assessing the negative consequences of shifting intimate relationships, particularly various forms of domestic violence, as well as the effectiveness of personal and collective conflict resolution strategies, including policies and legislation. Ultimately, it argues that the concept of the pure relationship can play a significant role in democratizing the private sphere in an informed and meaningful way.
—Toni Popovic, Renata Relja, and Tea Gutović