Relative time and life course research

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State: Public
Version: Author's accepted manuscript
License: CC BY-NC 4.0
Serval ID
serval:BIB_8F842AF84840
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
Relative time and life course research
Journal
Longitudinal and Life Course Studies
Author(s)
Sánchez-Mira Núria, Bernardi Laura
ISSN
1757-9597
Publication state
Published
Issued date
01/01/2021
Peer-reviewed
Oui
Language
english
Abstract
Mainstream life course studies often draw on a conventional understanding of time as a unidirectional clock-based entity, which proceeds in a uniform and linear manner. This paper argues that, in order to understand the social, relational and psychological processes of change and continuity that characterise life course processes, we need to adopt a more comprehensive and explicit conceptualisation of time – a conceptualisation that goes beyond an absolute (linear, chronological, uniform) definition – to incorporate the notion of relative time. Drawing on insights from narrative and biographical research, discussions of the temporal embeddedness of human agency and multidisciplinary research on time perceptions and time perspectives, we propose a definition of relative time based on three main characteristics: its multidirectional, elastic and telescopic nature. The paper promotes the integration of absolute and relative time in the study of life course processes, and the important role of prospective qualitative research in this respect, and outlines future avenues for research in this direction.
Keywords
Life course, temporalities, human agency, prospective qualitative research, interdisciplinary research
Create date
09/07/2020 14:17
Last modification date
21/11/2022 8:20
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