Document Type
Thesis - University Access Only
Award Date
2011
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department / School
Communication Studies and Theatre
Abstract
This study explores the transmission of rituals through three-generational families. Five three-generational families (n=l5) that had a female in the Silent Generation, Baby Boomer Generation, and Generation Y were observed and interviewed during a family ritual. The rituals I observed included an ice cream social, antique and rumma.ge sale hunting, Catholic Mass, a piano lesson, and watched home videos of three different years of Christmas caroling. Research included observations, ethnographic interviews, and descriptive field notes. In addition, one-on-one interviews were conducted with a female research participant from each generation. Using the inductive approach of grounded theory (Glaser & Strauss, 1967) and constructivism grounded theory (Corbin & Strauss, 1990) three themes emerged from the data. One theme included the use of bribing to entice family members to participate in the ritual. In addition, axiomatic truths theme emerged, which pertains to what the family took for granted during their ritual. A third theme recognized the importance of accommodating social shifts, technology changes, and personal identities to continue the ritual.
Library of Congress Subject Headings
Families
Rites and ceremonies
Communication in families
Format
application/pdf
Number of Pages
148
Publisher
South Dakota State University
Recommended Citation
Kuecker, Emily B., "The Core of Family Structure: Intergenerational Transmission of Rituals" (2011). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 1798.
https://openprairie.sdstate.edu/etd2/1798