Browsing by Author "Munck, Lilli"

Objectives. The purpose of this study was to clarify the expectations related to communal living. Previous studies suggest that the main reasons to live in a community are social. Willingness to live among others and to prevent solitude are common reasons according to previous studies. Former studies have focused on communal living based on owner-occupied living, such as eco-villages and co-housing. This study centres on more tight communal living and observes it´s features and the expectations related to it. The study question is: what kind of expectations are related to communal living by the people who intend to live in a community? The results are explored in the context of sociological discourse. Methods. This thesis was carried out as a qualitative study. The research material consisted of announcements that were published in a Facebook group called Kommuunit koolle – Yhteisöllinen asuminen. Content analysis and theming were used to analyze the research material. The analyses was inductive. Results. Spending time together with roommates was one of the central expectations related to communal living. Both spontaneous and organized meetings with roommates were expected. Shared values and similar ideological views with roommates was expected. Most common values expected from others were ecological values and tolerance. This study supports previous research findings, that people who lives in communities share ecological values. A strong wish of balance between community and privacy was found. The results show that in the communities the sense of togetherness is both operational and symbolic. The symbolic togetherness is built up by shared values and the operational togetherness by spending time together. Based on the results the people who intent to live in communities possibly build their identity by the means of communal living.