materialfamilier

Materialfamilier is a concept used in sociology and anthropology to describe the ways in which material objects and possessions become embedded in the daily life and relationships of a family. It emphasizes the mutual shaping of persons and things, where objects not only satisfy needs but also carry meanings, memories, and social obligations. The term is often employed to analyze how household items—such as furniture, appliances, clothing, photographs, and digital devices—enter routines of care, fostering attachment, routine, and conflict.

The concept draws on material culture studies and practice theory, linking the study of objects to intimate relations. Researchers use ethnography, interviews, and object-centered analysis to trace how items move through family networks, how ownership and stewardship are negotiated, and how objects facilitate or constrain forms of care, labor, and identity across generations.

Applications of materialfamilier appear in studies of domestic labor, gifting practices, and the archiving of family memories. It also informs debates on sustainability and design, by highlighting how object lifecycles, sharing practices, and repair cultures affect consumption within households.

Critics caution that the framework may overlook structural inequalities or universalizing claims about family life, and suggest careful cross-cultural comparison. Proponents argue that it offers a nuanced lens on everyday life that complements broader theories of materiality and kinship.

See also: material culture, object biography, domestic labor, care work.