Abstract

MINDEK, Dubravka. Individualization and Transformation of Intimacy in the Mexican rural Area. A case study focused on conjugal partnership. Cultura representaciones soc [online]. 2018, vol.12, n.24, pp.247-272. ISSN 2007-8110.  https://doi.org/10.28965/2018-024-09.

After a brief review of studies on the individualization and transformation of intimacy that began to take place in Western societies since the 1980’s, this article reflects on the relevance of such discourses for the context of the Mexican society where, in certain areas, new models and practices are introduced in old schemes of values. From the case of a rural town of indigenous origin, located in central Mexico, the author analyzes the ways of introducing such discourses and explores their degree of appropriation and implementation by the inhabitants regarding the following aspects: selection, involvement, and upholding of the couple. The conclusion is that, despite the appropriation of these discourses by the population, their implementation is partial due to specific sociocultural characteristics of the place, such as the exclusion of locals of the welfare state, especially women.

Keywords : Individualization; Intimacy; Rural marital couples.