Family structures in change

Family structures are social constructions and thus, family structures do not remain fixed. Their traditional forms can be a protection against change and they are a constituent element of their existence. They are permanently challenged by local, regional or global developments – since the beginning of humanity. Sometimes these developments remain almost unnoticed by their protagonists for centuries or decades; but sometimes they are directly experienced within a short period of time. This volume collects contributions that reflect the changes of family structures from different perspectives. Aspects like marriage, new partnerships, alternative care and gender roles are as much a topic as indigenous knowledge, migration and women‘s rights. Geographically, this volume moves between the global north and the global south; between Africa and Europe, between South America and Asia. We would like to thank our dear colleagues, the authors of this volume, who made every effort to get involved in our project.