Women who are mothers: experiences of self-definition
Date
2018-07-11
Authors
Hartrick, Gweneth Ann
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Abstract
Recent literature has challenged traditional views of women's
development of self . Many scholars have suggested that the traditional
concept of self-as-autonomous being does not reflect women's experiences.
Further, it has been suggested that for women who are mothers the
conceptualization of self-as-autonomous is particularly questionable. With
no other apparent research existing to illuminate the nature and
experience of self-definition for women who are mothers, this study
addressed the question: "What is the experience of defining self for women
who are mothers?". A human caring methodology which integrated elements of
interpretive phenomenology and feminist inquiry was employed to explore
this research question. Seven women who were actively engaged in
motherhood participated in the study. Data gathering involved two
individual interviews with each of the participants and concluded with the
women participating in a focus group where the preliminary findings were
discussed. The study revealed two interrelated aspects including, (a) a
description of the nature of self, and (b) the ongoing process of defining
self. The nature of self consisted of three themes. The themes which arose
were: (a) self as a multiplicity of parts, (b) self as a relational
process, and (c) self as a synthesis. The process of defining self
consisted of three phases: (a) non-reflective doing, (b) living in the
shadows, and (c) reclaiming and discovering self. Each of these phases
were continually experienced with different ones dominating at varying
times and in varying situations. Within each of the phases, a number of
themes were described and illuminated. The study pointed to the definition
and their experience of health in addressing the implications
for practice, therefore, a framework for health promoting practice to
support women's process of self–definition was developed.
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Keywords
Women, Psychology, Self, Self-actualization (Psychology)