Att växa upp med en ensamstående förälder : En kvalitativ studie om upplevelser av att växa upp i en modern typ av familj

Sammanfattning: The intention of this study is to examine experiences of growing up in single-parent families. With in-depth interviews with six young grown ups we learned about their childhood and perspective of growing up in this kind of families. We analysed their life-stories together with theories about identity and the effect of modern society on individuals from a sociological point of view. Departing from symbolic interactionism and previous research which shows that people who grow up in this type of families often have a difficult childhood and adulthood we analysed the empirical material. The result shows that most people in this type of families experience a good and safe childhood with a close-knit family. However, during some certain periods and situations some have not felt completely satisfied, due to lack of experienced attention and support from their parent. Almost all respondents have been partially responsible for the household and have also felt big emotional responsibility for their parent. Although, the vast majority of informants does not consider themselves or their upbringing much different from others and none of the respondents has expressed a wish for another type of family.