Home, domesticity and hospitality: A theoretical reflection

‘Domesticity’ is discussed in different everyday experiences, such as intimacy, familiarity, hospitality and care. Home responds to the human need to find an affective and stable centre in a global world where one can remain anonymous. ‘Home’ means ‘shared intimacy’ between people with whom we have deep ties. For this reason, ‘domesticity’ refers to a dimension rather than relational space and is not the same as simply comfort, but the result of a style of living that is experienced in a full and original way in the family. The home is also openness and hospitality. Authentic hospitality is not simply physical and spatial objects in order to receive someone, but it means welcome and the ability to meet the other.