Francisco D. Bretones (University of Granada, Spain) fdiazb@ugr.es

The repercussions of marriage breakdowns

on housing preferencesHow to cite:

Navarro, A., Sánchez, J., González-González, J. M. y Bretones, F. D. (2013). The repercussions of marriage breakdowns on housing preferences: An empirical

research in Spain. Journal of Comparative Family Studies, 44 (1), 17- 40.

Francisco D. Bretones (University of Granada, Spain) fdiazb@ugr.es

Background• In recent years, single-parent households have become one of the

fastest-growing family structures, and there are now over four million such families in the European Union.• But Separation is not only from a former partner, it provokes a total

change in everyday life and identity, and the housing situation plays an important role in all aspects. • One of the primary needs of all single-parent families following a

separation is that of housing. The change to a situation of single parenthood changes the family structure and hence the type of accommodation required.

Francisco D. Bretones (University of Granada, Spain) fdiazb@ugr.es

Objective• Our aim was to identify the housing needs of this new form of family

and to determine their specific preferences with respect to housing characteristics,

Francisco D. Bretones (University of Granada, Spain) fdiazb@ugr.es

Methodology• In-deep interviews with 94 immigrant workers in Spain was carried

out

• Average 67 minutes with a range between 40 – 90 minutes

• An interpretative analysis of the discourse was performed with the data collected

Francisco D. Bretones (University of Granada, Spain) fdiazb@ugr.es

Conclusions• Entrepreneurial behaviour among the interviewed immigrants acts as a

mechanism for individual mobility to enable them to cope with the negative social identity arising• Immigrant entrepreneurial behavior confer an advantage in the social comparison,

for instance the benefits of employment and creation of wealth not only for the immigrant group but also for the host society• Entrepreneurial behaviour among immigrants can be used as a criterion for social

competition as a starting point to enhance their negative social identity• These factors place immigrants in certain social and working circumstances that

lead them to implement entrepreneurial behavior as a strategy to cope with a negative social identity and to adapt psychosocially to the working, social and economic world in host society.

Francisco D. Bretones (University of Granada, Spain) fdiazb@ugr.es

You can obtain a full free copy of this research at: