erotteluperheeseen

Erotteluperheeseen is a Finnish term used in sociology and demography to describe the process or result of entering a family form that has developed through separation events. It refers to a household where kinship ties and caregiving roles are reorganized after a separation, such as divorce, formation of stepfamilies, or custody arrangements. The concept highlights the directional movement into a changed family structure rather than the separation itself.

Etymology: The compound combines erottelu (separation) and perhe (family) with the illative suffix -eseen, meaning “into the family” or “into a separating family.”

Usage: The term appears in Finnish academic texts addressing contemporary family dynamics, child well-being in restructured households, and policy studies on support for separated families. It is not universally standardized and may be used alongside descriptions like uusperhe or blended family to specify particular arrangements. Some scholars distinguish erotteluperheeseen as focusing on the transitional state rather than a fixed category.

Implications: Research on erotteluperheeseen considers children’s adjustment, changes in caregiving, economic effects, and social support networks. It also informs debates on social policy, education, and housing assistance aimed at families formed after separation.

See also: uusperhe, erottelu, avioero, blended family, kinship networks.