The relationship between the family and civil society has always been complex, with the family often regarded as separate from, or even oppositional to, civil society.

Taking a fresh empirical approach, Muddiman, Power and Taylor reveal how such separation underestimates the important role the family plays in civil society. Considering the impact of family events, dinner table debates, intergenerational transmission of virtues and the role of the mother, this enlightening book draws on survey data from 1000 young people, a sample of their parents and grandparents, and extended family interviews, to uncover how civil engagement, activism and political participation are inherited and fostered within the home.

Esther Muddiman is a postdoctoral researcher at WISERD. Her interests span sociology and education, with a particular focus on civic responsibility, intergenerational relationships and youth engagement.

Sally Power is a professor in the School of Social Sciences at Cardiff University and Director of WISERD. Her research interests focus on the relationship between education, civil society and inequality.

Chris Taylor is Academic Director of the Cardiff University Social Science Research Park. His interests include the geography of education, education policy, and the relationship between education and the lifecourse.

Starting points

The paradoxical positioning of the family and civil society

The challenges of researching the private sphere of the family

The uncertain business of raising citizens

Keeping the faith? Secularisation, the family and civic engagement

Mothers, grandmothers and civic engagement

Family arguments: finding ones voice

Politicising family food practices

The upward transmission of civic virtues

Reframing civil society and the family