Child-centeredness and individualization in the modern family

The way in which the concepts of childhood and parenthood are reshaped in a historical and sociological context within modern societies constitutes the main focus of this study. The primary aim of the research is to reveal the effects of increasing life expectancy, declining mortality rates, and the widespread adoption of planned birth practices on family structure, and to analyze the process through which child-centeredness and individualization become defining characteristics of the modern family. Based on the theoretical framework developed by the French sociologist Paul Yonnet on demographic transformation, the “wanted child”, and individualisation, the study seeks to understand the transformation of intra-family roles, authority relations, and social norms. The significance of the research lies in its contribution to current debates on childhood and adolescence by providing a historical perspective on the tension between individualization and social norms in shaping the modern family structure. The findings indicate that declining mortality rates and the transition to planned fertility have led to a profound change in the status of children; the process of children’s individualization has accelerated, and the balance between autonomy and authority within the family has been redefined. Accordingly, the research adopts a qualitative approach and is grounded in a phenomenological paradigm, utilizing a historical-sociological analysis method. Yonnet’s studies on family and demography are evaluated through content analysis, and child-centeredness, parenting roles, and individualization processes in modern societies are examined through an extensive literature review.