Reciprocal bonding: Parents and their offspring in early modern England

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36 Scopus citations

Abstract

The English family in the early modern period is viewed in the perspective of reciprocity: an exchange of goods that involved giving and obtaining something in return. Reciprocal interactions between parents and children extended throughout the life course and were not confined to infancy or early childhood. The exchange could be delayed, and its timing and duration varied between social groups and across time. It was unequal: the parental investment was large, and the returns were uncertain and less extensive. The exchanges involved a wide range of material and emotional goods: support, affection, prestige, reputation. Reciprocity was not simply granted, but rather it was negotiated and induced with gifts and in other less tangible ways.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)291-312
Number of pages22
JournalJournal of Family History
Volume25
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Jan 2000

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Anthropology
  • Arts and Humanities (miscellaneous)
  • Social Sciences (miscellaneous)

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