The nuclear family has disadvantages for both men and women, argues historian Lotte Houwink ten Cate. The ideal picture of a father, mother and children, united in a heterosexual marriage, still counts as the cornerstone of our society. But fewer and fewer people still fit into this straitjacket. Why do we continue to cherish this image, when reality has long since caught up with us? What are the possibilities beyond this classic model?
As part of Feest van het Falen (Feast of Failure), Curieus and Spreken is Goud examine the place of the family and various other forms of cohabitation in our society, together with historian Lotte Houwink ten Cate, journalist Haroon Ali and author and filmmaker Inès Eshun.
Philosopher Martha Claeys will discuss the following questions with them:
What myths surround the nuclear family and why? Is this model really as timeless as we think? Or as ideal? After all, the heteronormative framework does not suit everyone. Nor is the classic family always the safe haven it is supposed to be.
What are the downsides of this institution and can we rethink it? How do we make space for the various forms of living together that are situated outside this norm? What could a different interpretation of the family anno 2025 mean?
An interpreter of Flemish Sign Language will be present at this programme.
Lotte Houwink ten Cate is a historian and researcher. She recently published the essay De mythe van het gezin at Pluim Publishers. Her columns and essays have appeared in De Volkskrant, NRC Handelsblad and De Groene Amsterdammer.
Haroon Ali is a freelance journalist, author of two non-fiction books and commentator for radio, TV and podcasts. Haroon is also a sought-after speaker, addressing sensitive issues through personal stories.
Inès Eshun writes, directs and produces. Her short film Het leven van Esteban won awards at film festivals worldwide. In autumn 2023, her debut novel De gruwel van het gezin was released by Borgerhoff en Lamberigts. Her work often gives voice to characters who struggle to make their voices heard in real life.
Martha Claeys is a philosopher, writer and podcast creator. She is a columnist for Trouw and Knack. Together with Lotte Spreeuwenberg, she hosts and produces the philosophical podcast Kluwen. For her debut Trots. Filosofie van een emotie (Boom), she received the Socrates Cup, the award for the most stimulating philosophical book of 2023.
Artwork: Eva Neirynck
