The New Economics of Kinship

Featured faculty

Cassandra Cotton

[email protected]

As a family sociologist, my research examines family and kinship practices at the intersection of social, demographic, and economic change. Up to now, my work has focused specifically on the sub-Saharan African context, with qualitative fieldwork conducted in Nairobi, Kenya. My research is firmly grounded in sociology of the family, with an interdisciplinary integration of family and social demography. The core area of my work is grounded in a conceptual framework, the new economics of kinship, which I developed to describe and understand family variation and transformation. This framework highlights the changing nature of kinship over time, which suggests that traditional sources of kin support may not be available to those who need them. These changes mean there is a considerable gap between how people expect kinship to work and how it often operates in reality. Kinship ties are arguably no less important now in the lives of parents, children, and kin members than they were in the past, but the nature of kin support is constantly in negotiation. My work specifically examines how kinship expectations and ideals are confronted with the realities of changing kinship norms, shifting obligations, and possibly tenuous ties within and across kinship networks. Within this framework, I engage in research in three areas, focusing on child fostering and kin support, romantic relationships in adulthood, and migration and family life.

Cotton, C., S. Clark & S. Madhavan. 2022. “One Hand does not Bring up a Child Child Fostering Among Single Mothers in Nairobi’s Slums.” Demographic Research Vol. 46, Article 30: 865-904.

Cotton, C. 2021. “An Enduring Institution? Child Fostering in sub Saharan Africa.” Population & Development Review 47 (4): 1179-1206.

Cotton, C. & D. Beguy. 2021. “Long Distance Mothering in Urban Kenya.” Journal of Marriage and Family 83(2): 482-497.

Clark, S., C. Cotton, R. Margolis & H.P. Kohler. 2020. "The Psychological Benefits of Marriage and Children in Rural Malawi.” Studies in Family Planning 51(3): 251-272.

Clark, S., S. Madhavan, C. Cotton, D. Beguy & C. Kabiru. 2017. “Who Helps Single Mothers in Nairobi?: The Role of Kin Support.” Journal of Marriage and Family 79(4): 1186-1204.

Clark, S., C. Cotton & L. Marteleto. 2015. “Family Ties and Young Fathers' Engagement in Cape Town, South Africa.” Journal of Marriage and Family 77(2): 575-589.

Clark, S. & C. Cotton. 2013. “Transitions to Adulthood in Urban Kenya: A Focus on Adolescent Migrants.” Demographic Research, Vol. 28, Article 37: 1053-1092.