Dr Harry Blatterer
Lecturer
Contact Details
Office: C3B/506
Phone: (61 2) 9850 8069
Fax No: (61 2) 9850 9355
E-mail: Harry.Blatterer@scmp.mq.edu.au
Profile
Harry Blatterer is lecturer in the Department of Sociology. Born in Austria, he came to Australia as a musician and completed his university education with a PhD in Sociology at the University of New South Wales. His current research centres on the changing meaning of adulthood in affluent societies and milieux. Further research interests flowing from this project are theories of social recognition and intergenerational relationships. He is the author of Coming of Age in Times of Uncertainty (Berghahn Books, 2007). He teaches introductory sociology as well as a course on the social constitution of intimacy.
Research
In this research project I investigate (1) the role of private, intergenerational transfers in young adults capacities to enter the home-buyers market, and (2) changes in the quality of relationships between parents and their adult children.
Home ownership rates among 25-34 year olds are declining. We also know that marital status is a key factor in the decision to buy a home, and that income plays a significant role. However, in the Australian context, we dont know what role parental support plays in young adults home purchases. I focus on three types of intergenerational transfers: direct material support, indirect material support and non-material support
The first part of the project (2008-2009) is a qualitative study of narratives parents and their adult children construct around these support relationship. The study is funded by an MQNS grant.
Teaching 2008-2009
- SOC 175 Australian and Global Societies
- SOC 365 The Intimate Sphere: Love, Friendship and Family
- SOC 294 Generations: Childhood, Adulthood and Old Age
- Honours Seminar: Theoretical Perspectives in Sociology
Recent Publications
2008, 'Adulthood and the changing semantics of youth', Conference Proceedings, The Australian Sociological Association, Melbourne, 2-5 December.
2008, 'Reclaiming adulthood as a social category: A recognition-theoretical approach', Annual Meeting, American Sociological Association, Boston, 1-4 August.
2007, Coming of Age in Times of Uncertainty, Berghahn Books, New York and Oxford .
2007, 'Contemporary adulthood: Reconceptualizing an uncontested category', Current Sociology, vol. 55, no. 6, pp. 771-92.
2007 'Adulthood: The contemporary redefinition of a social category,' Sociological Research Online, vol.12, no. 4, http://www.socresonline.org.uk/12/4/3.html
2007, ‘Reconnecting Childhood and Society,’ Review Essay of D. Donahoo, Idolising Children, http://www.australianreview.net/digest/2007/05/blatterer.html
2005, 'New Adulthood: Personal or Social Transition? Conference Proceedings, Social Change in the 21st Century Conference, Queensland University of Technology
2005, 'Review: Pilkington et al, Looking West: Cultural Globalization and Russion Youth Cultures, 'Sociological Research Online, http://www.socresonline.org.uk/10/1/contents.html
2003, 'Review Article: J. Cote, Arrested Adulthood: The Changing Nature of Maturity and Identity, 'Journal of Sociology, vol. 39, no. 3, pp. 308-12.
2003, Changing the Perspective: From 'Prolonged Adolescence' to 'Another Adulthood, 'Conference Proceedings, The Australian Sociological Association.
Recent Positions
2005 - 2006: Visiting Research Associate, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, University of New South Wales.
2007 - : Lecturer, Department of Sociology, Macquarie University.