From Field To Theory and Back – The Biographical (re-) Construction Of An Unconventional Family Through a Multi-Variant Range Of Data

By use of the case-related reconstructive method, I will show how various types of data can be integrated in the research process. The topic of interest is an unconventional family, whereby unconventional means the absence of the biological parents. Instead of the conventional family structure, the parental role is fulfilled by a homosexual female couple, who realised their wish for children with the help of a sperm donation. The central method of data collection is the family-historical interview as a core component of the ethnografical access to the field. Apart from that, other methods of data collection were used to ensure that every case is incorporated in the analysis from various angles. This approach is based on the following principle: case reconstructions are not fulfilled in their entirety if only the transcripted interviews of the family history are considered. The set of data also consists of observational data (e.g. the constitution of interactions within the context of welcoming gestures, the seating arrangements, door bell nameplates), but also family indicative documents such as family photographs. Furthermore, data is obtained concerning the family of origin and the life course. This data is collected in a genogram, which is sort of a genealogical tree displaying the family in a generational context. This approach enables the investigation of the „biography as a life context of the milieu“ (Richard Grathoff). The aim is to explain biographical constructs, which are limitedly accessible to the own reflection, as an act of negotiation with the family of origin. However, case-reconstructions serve as a basis for theory development. The aim is to overcome the description of an isolated case. I will also discuss in my lecture the interpretation of the results in the context of theory development.