Introduction. Family in a Biographical Research Perspective

Abstract

Biographical research in the social sciences has gained significant importance in the analysis of changes in the structure and functioning of the contemporary family in recent decades. This research allows for a deeper understanding of how individual life stories of family members intertwine, creating a common narrative that shapes the identity of the family community and the quality of the experience of the co-presence of its members. In Poland, this research approach is being intensively developed by various research centers. In the text, we analyze the thematic scope of the volume, which focuses on the issue of the family as a dynamic socio-cultural system, in which everyday experiences of members create a unique community. We draw attention to the multi-contextual nature of the approaches to the subject matter in the presented articles, such as intergenerational transmission, parenting experiences, and the role of communication in the family. They refer to various experiences that influence the formation of the identity of family members.