BLF: Rethinking the Nuclear Family

Birmingham Literature Festival: Rethinking the Nuclear Family with Nicola Slawson and Adam Ferner

As the research in Nicola Slawson’s book shows, around 40% of UK adults are single at any one time. And yet, as a culture, we still expect people of a certain age to settle down into a long-term, heterosexual romantic partnership and procreate. This event explores what it means to live single in this context and questions traditional family structures that are increasingly failing to meet the care needs of individuals and children alike.

Nicola Slawson’s book, Single, explores being un-partnered in a world designed for couples, and how to find joy in the life that you are already living, whether it looks like it is ‘supposed to’ or not.

Adam Ferner’s book, Unhappy Families, explores the ethics of childcare in a world riven by inequality. He argues that entrenched attitudes regarding biological parenthood, and expectations of what a family looks like, need re-evaluation.

Chaired by Shantel Edwards

Running time approx. one hour