Projects / Programmes
Medgeneracijska solidarnost v kmečkih družinah (Slovene)
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 6.03.02 |
Humanities |
Anthropology |
Social and cultural anthropology |
Researchers (3)
Organisations (1)
Significance for science
The project’s most important contribution to the science is in its employment of multidisciplinary research of complex intergenerational relations (intergenerational solidarity and ambivalences) as a complementary research practice. The comparative analysis of various databases (survey database, qualitative database of interviews, assessment measures – type pencil-paper for quality of life and intergenerational ambivalence, ethnographic diary) proved that multi-level analyses were mutually compatible and not exclusive despite heterogeneous epistemologies employed. The survey Generations and gender, adjusted to the farm population and conditions in Slovenia, was established in accord with the main hypotheses and theories of demography, sociology and economy related to the relationship among generations and genders. Carried out on representative sample of observed groups (farm, rural and town population) of interviewees all over Slovenia, the survey represented the basis for the initial list of issues for semi-structured interview, the main tool of an anthropological fieldwork. However, due to “the nature” of the fieldwork, some topics were added aposteriori (e.g. the farm history, mutual assistance among neighbours, community assistance and the assistance of relatives off the farm). These parts of narratives significantly built-up the context for the analysis of intergenerational solidarity and ambivalence in various time-periods, which also enable the comparison of different practices (e.g. intergenerational assistance, commitments, division of tasks) in different time-periods. The type pencil-paper as a measurement of quality of life and ambivalence was established from the view of social psychology. It turned out that this tool was also useful in anthropological fieldwork. Demanding topics for investigation, as for instance ambivalent feelings, were easier obtained by this measurement than by face-to-face interviews. Finally, ethnographic diary completed the explanatory framework of collected interviews.
The main conclusion of comparative analyses is that concepts of intergenerational solidarity and ambivalence are useful also for demographical, social and agrarian anthropology. The combination of multilevel and multidisciplinary analysis is not conducive only to the common synthesis of results but it also strengthens the explanatory power of each and every analysis employed: information, obtained by the type pencil-paper additionally clarifies the interviews and on the opposite, the interviews offer the context for explanation of the type pencil-paper’s messages. Similarly, single statements of the survey »tell more« when compared with contextualised stories of collocutors, collected on various field locations, and on the opposite, the stories of collocutors »tell more« when compared with the statements of abstract groups of respondents.
Significance for the country
Obtained results represent the professional basis for public discussion on rural development in Slovenia, particularly on the improvement of family, social and health politics on the countryside. These politics are indirectly connected with the measures stimulating the development of family farming in Slovenia. Slovenia belongs to a group of countries which do not satisfy their own needs for agricultural and food products by domestic production only. Therefore, ensuring food safety is one of the priorities of agricultural development and new knowledge on its performers (a farm population) is necessary. Moreover, knowledge on generations and gender relations is particularly relevant due to social repercussions of ageing of society and global orientation towards family farming. The project results inform the interested public about the importance of interpersonal relationship among farm family members, either as risk factors for emerging the difficulties among generations and their lower quality of life or protective factors for harmonised relations among generations and gender. Finally, these relationships significantly affect the effectiveness of farm activities.
The knowledge obtained during the project was also presented in pedagogical activities, contributing to development of human resources. Pedagogical transfer was carried out through the courses: Rural Sociology (Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Department of Agronomy, university course, I degree) and Economics and Sociological Aspects of Rural Development (Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, 3rd Bologna stage - doctoral studies in Life Sciences). The project results (knowledge transfer) were also presented to extension service (Agriculture and Forestry Chamber of Slovenia) and the interested public (Farm Women's Association of Slovenia).
Most important scientific results
Annual report
2009,
2010,
final report,
complete report on dLib.si
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Annual report
2009,
2010,
final report,
complete report on dLib.si
