“Normality debunked” or public debate on domestic partnerships Cover Image

„Obalanie normalności”, czyli debata o związkach partnerskich
“Normality debunked” or public debate on domestic partnerships

Author(s): Anna Jawor, Piotr Zańko
Subject(s): Family and social welfare, Sociology of Culture, Social Norms / Social Control
Published by: Instytut Profilaktyki Społecznej i Resocjalizacji UW
Keywords: domestic partnerships; sexual minorities; culture war; family; nation; nature

Summary/Abstract: Poland is among the last of the Western World countries where the relationship cannot be registered otherwise than through traditional marriage. For 10 years, Polish parliament has rejected a number of draft legislations on domestic partnerships which strived to regulate the union of both different and same sex partners. The issue is considered as accessory, while it concerns a growing number of individuals who would anyway build their sexual and family life in different ways. Through the interpretative analysis of cultural texts we show how Polish political leaders respond to the issue. Our analysis focuses in particular on the parliamentary debate on domestic partnerships of 24 January 2013. It reveals that the debate is rooted in a larger context of a culture war which in itself marks a symbolic battle for the collective identity and the axio-normative order.

  • Issue Year: 2015
  • Issue No: 16
  • Page Range: 65-78
  • Page Count: 14
  • Language: Polish