国外“家”的地理学研究进展及启示

Progress in geographic studies on "home" and implications for China

"家"是西方地理学近年研究一个丰富且重要的新话题。国外对"家"的地理学研究呈现快速增长的趋势,现已成为文化地理学的研究热点之一。本文首先厘清了"家"的概念和内涵,发现人文地理学者对"家"的理解经历了由积极意义到批判的过程,本文据此阐述了国外"家"的地理学研究进展,主要从身份与"家"的内在关系展开,并梳理了当前研究的两大热点话题——跨国移民和无家可归者。"家"是理解社会和空间的关键场所,而当前国内仍缺乏相应的研究成果,本文以期对中国人文地理学的研究有所裨益。

Geography of home is becoming an important research field in the western academic world. Both the quantity and the citation rate of the publications on this topic are growing significantly, in cultural geography study in particular. This article reviews the diverse literature on the geography of home and calls for domestic study in China in the context of great social and cultural transitions. First, the conceptualization of home was interpreted by tracing back in the literature. Home was treated as 'heaven' in early research of the 1970 s inspired by the humanistic trend at the time, while was criticized for its ignorance of the negative feelings and experiences of the subordinate groups. At present, this concept is understood increasingly as political and embedded with critical interpretations. The review found that the geography of home is closely related to identity, including gender, sexuality, class, and ethnicity. These identities shape and are shaped by home. Finally the article reviews studies on two key phenomena examined from the perspective of home: transnational migration and homelessness. These studies focus on the impacts of the wider economic and social contexts as well as related policies.More importantly, growing attention has been paid to the home making practice and the meanings of home experience of the migrants and the homeless people. Despite of the abundant research on the geography of home,such study in China is relatively rare although the idea of home occupies a key position in traditional cultures of China. Especially during the recent development of globalization and social transformation, the theory of home may be helpful to explain and interpret new topics that have emerged in China such as the growth of forced migration, flow of labor force, and empty nester family. The existing body of literature on the geography of home provides insightful ideas for related studies in China. However, empirical studies should be conducted in the context of China, which may enrich or challenge the theory of home.