Structural and Functional Changes in Bosnian Family - Disappearance of the “Sofra”

Amel Alić
University of Zenica

Abstract

The most explicit changes in dimension of adaptability and cohesion suggest that Bosnian family, besides social, economy, and political changes, passes through unprecedented and unique transformation, which could be connected to far more complex cultural changes – what we assume to be – transformation of normative / relational collectivism and individualism, increased migrations, different / changed role of religion, and a new paradigm of identity definition. In that sense, this article represents an attempt to determine in what way different custom, forms and functions of Bosnian family, above all, the dominant structure and style of parenting, changes throughout the past three decades. Traditional Bosnian family was dominantly heteronomous, with highly enmeshed emotional connections between its members. According to recent studies, some rapid changes emerged regarding the structure, parenting styles, changes in lifestyle and housing conditions, and changes of diet habits, which reflects transformation into autonomously independent type of family.


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