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Citizenship Ceremonies; Family Ties and Genetics

Laurie Taylor explores the way in which states use public rituals to create new citizens. Plus family ties, stories and genetics.

Making citizens: how countries make public rituals out of endowing new citizens with citizenship. Laurie Taylor talks to Bridget Byrne, Senior Lecturer in Sociology at the University of Manchester, about her in-depth comparative study of citizenship ceremonies. In a mobile, transnational world passports and rights matter now more than ever. So how do states draw and establish the boundaries of citizenship? Using empirical research in the UK, the United States, Canada, Australia, the Netherlands, and Ireland, Dr Byrne roots contemporary concepts of national belonging in colonial history.

Family ties in genes and stories: Janice McLaughlin, Professor of Sociology at Newcastle University, discusses her study of families referred to a paediatric genetic service. An increasing number of children are referred for genetic investigation due to physical & learning difficulties. This study found that the clinical discussions which ensue bring family histories to the fore in surprising and unpredictable ways. Sociologists have long recognised the importance of narrative to forming and maintaining family ties. But how are such stories altered as a result of geneticists' involvement in family relations? Which stories can and can't be told?

Producer: Jayne Egerton.

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28 minutes

Last on

Mon 6 Apr 2015 00:15

Janice McLaughlin

Professor of Sociology at Newcastle University

Find out more about Professor

础产蝉迟谤补肠迟:听
The Sociological Review
doi: 10.1111/1467-954X.12223

Bridget Byrne

Senior Lecturer in Sociology at Manchester University

Find out more about Dr

Making Citizens: Public Rituals and Personal Journeys to Citizenship
Publisher:聽Palgrave MacMillan
ISBN-10: 1137003200
ISBN-13: 978-1137003201

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  • Wed 1 Apr 2015 16:00
  • Mon 6 Apr 2015 00:15

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