Talking Politics: Practices, Diplomacy and Emotional Labour in British Families’ Discussions of Brexit

• In Event: 4322 - Section on Political Sociology Refereed Roundtable Session
  In Refereed Roundtable 60min: Table 01. 2016 Elections and Referendums

Abstract

This paper explores how the UKs 2016 referendum on the European Union has been experienced within family relationships, drawing upon qualitative interviews to consider the ways in which people ‘talk politics’ with their family. The paper outlines different motives and practices of discussing politics in families; from a wish to avoid political debate to a feeling of wanting to explain and defend ones position to a motive of educating others. The paper draws upon theories of relationality and the tenacity of family ties (Smart, 2007) as well as emotional labour (Hochschild, 1993) to argue that contrary to media portrayals of a ‘divided’ nation characterised by generational conflict, people expend great effort and skill in avoiding conflict with family members, developing tacit understandings of if and when to talk politics and with whom. The paper contributes an understanding of political discussion as embedded within complex family relationships and emphasises ‘talking politics’ as a practice involving emotional labour.

Author

• Katherine Davies, University of Sheffield