Introduction

This chapter presents data from two studies that illustrate the complexity of decisions in respect of whether or not certain individuals form part of ‘the family’. In this case, the individuals in question are non-resident birth fathers. Our perspective is primarily methodological and our focus is the problems faced by those researchers who seek to place ‘families’ in categories. However, these data illustrate several of this book's key themes, including the difficulty of defining family and family boundaries, particularly as potentially represented by the material space of household.

The notion of ‘family boundary’, derived from family systems theory, refers to the invisible set of rules determining who, when and how members participate in family life (Minuchin, 1974). ‘Boundary ambiguity’ therefore occurs when family members are uncertain about who is in and out, and who is performing what tasks (Boss and Greenberg, 1984). Since such boundaries may be physical or psychological, a non-resident birth father who, for example, continues to provide input in respect of decisions about a child's upbringing or education, may remain psychologically present while physically absent (Taanila et al, 2002). Shifts in family structure require a reorganisation of boundaries and clarification of new roles and expectations (Cole and Cole, 1999). Previous literature has focused on this in respect of individual family members, since it has been suggested that lack of clarity, or disparity between physical and psychological presence or absence, is stressful and related to poorer family functioning (Boss and Greenberg, 1984). However, the fluid nature of family boundaries is also an issue for policymakers and practitioners.

Researching family structure

Quantitative researchers with an interest in family life are a further group for whom the fluid nature of family boundaries is an issue, since they generally wish to define various family characteristics within a narrow range of predetermined categories for analytical purposes. For example, studies that focus on the family structure of children and young people usually ask respondents to tick a number of boxes (‘mother’, ‘father’, ‘stepmother’, stepfather’, ‘father's girlfriend’, and so on) in order to indicate which adults they live with.