scholarly journals Moderskab og feminisme - Belyst ud fra enemorfamilien

1997 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maren Bak
Keyword(s):  
Single Mothers ◽  
Empirical Investigation ◽  
Single Mother ◽  
Private Life ◽  
Feminist Research ◽  
Cultural Representations ◽  
Traditional Gender Roles ◽  
Women's Lives ◽  
Parent Relationship ◽  
Family Strategies

Feminism's relationship to maternity as a part of women's lives has been marked by ambivalence and doubt. Feminist analyses has concentrated on maternity as a sphere for socialpolitical intervention and on the cultural representations of motherhood. But maternity as part of almost every womans life and lived expericence has been seen by feminists as a major arena for patriarchal oppression and reproduction of traditional gender roles and therefore analysed with doubt and distrust. In the article I argue for the need for a feminist research on the phenomenology of maternity. The empirical investigation of family strategies and maternity in 25 Danish single mother families, carried out by the author, showed an example of maternity as a base for autonomy and selfdetermination. The single mothers emphasized that their children and their work was their basis in life. Maternity was a source of pride and empowement for the mothers. The possibility to make their own decisions regarding themselves and their children was mentioned as a major advantage. The single mother's experiences raise the question if maternity as autonomy and selfreliance is only possible outside two parent relationship. The author argues, that this is not the case, but the development of a nurturing fatherhood which takes repronsibility for nuturing values both in private life and in relationship to the labour market and social policy is a prerequisite.

Feminist Qualitative Research

2020 ◽  
pp. 199-242
Author(s):  
Maureen C. McHugh
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Power Analysis ◽  
Social Science Research ◽  
Science Research ◽  
Feminist Research ◽  
Double Consciousness ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
Gender Oppression ◽  
Qualitative Approaches ◽  
Women's Lives

Feminist research is described in terms of its purposes of addressing women’s lives, advocacy for women, analysis of gender oppression, working for social justice, and transformation of society. Feminist critiques of social science research are reviewed in relation to the development of methodological and epistemological positions. Feminist research is viewed as contributing to the transformation of science from empiricism to postmodernism. Reflexivity, collaboration, power analysis, and advocacy are discussed as common practices of feminist qualitative research. Several qualitative approaches to research are described in relation to feminist research goals, with illustrations of feminist research included. Validity and voice are identified as particular challenges in the conduct of feminist qualitative research. Intersectionality and double consciousness are reviewed as feminist contributions to the transformation of science. Some emerging and innovative forms of feminist qualitative research are highlighted in relation to potential future directions.

P–472 Single mothers by choice - experiences of single women seeking treatment at a public fertility clinic in Denmark: A pilot study

2021 ◽  
Vol 36 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
M L Steenberg ◽  
R Sylvest ◽  
E Koert ◽  
L Schmidt
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Welfare State ◽  
Single Mothers ◽  
Nuclear Family ◽  
Single Mother ◽  
Single Women ◽  
Public Health Care ◽  
Fertility Treatment ◽  
Fertility Clinic

Abstract Study question Are single women in fertility treatment stigmatised and what do they experience? Summary answer The women did not feel stigmatised. They experienced self-blame and negative thoughts about themselves, despite experiencing empowerment and receiving positive reactions from families and friends. What is known already Since 2007, medical doctors in Denmark have been permitted to offer medically assisted reproduction (MAR) also to single women. Denmark is a welfare state with a public health care sector providing MAR free of charge, 240 days of paid parental leave, and public full-time day-care. There has been an increase in the number of single women deciding to have children through the use of MAR. These women are referred to as ‘single mothers by choice’ (SMC), and they have been criticised for being selfish when raising a child without a father. Previous studies have shown how SMC can feel stigmatised. Study design, size, duration: Semi-structured qualitative interviews at a public fertility clinic in Copenhagen, Denmark. Data collection took place between September and October 2020. Participants/materials, setting, methods The participants were single and childless women (N = 6) undergoing MAR at the Fertility Clinic, Rigshospitalet in Copenhagen, Denmark. Five women received IVF and one received IUI. The women were between 30 and 40 years old and were all residents in the Capital Region of Denmark. The interviews were audiotaped, anonymised, and transcribed in full. Data were analysed using qualitative content analysis. Main results and the role of chance Single women did not differ from cohabiting women seeking MAR in relation to their experiences and attitudes towards motherhood. Four main themes were identified; (1) Experiences of single women seeking fertility treatment, (2) Emotions associated with becoming a single mother by choice, (3) The decision of becoming a single mother by choice, and (4) Family formation – a social interaction. The women would have preferred to have a child in a relationship with a partner and the shattered dream about the nuclear family has caused a wide range of experiences and emotions. The women did not feel stigmatised but they all had an awareness of the prejudices other people might have towards single mothers by choice. Hence, they were ready to defend their choice if necessary. On the other hand, they had received positive reactions and the process of becoming a single mother by choice was influenced by their social relations with family and friends. Despite their dream of the nuclear family the women choose to become SMC because motherhood was of such importance and they feared they would otherwise become too old to have children – the biological clock was ticking. Limitations, reasons for caution The participants were recruited from a public fertility clinic in the Capital Region of Denmark and may not be representative of all single women seeking MAR. Results might not be transferable to other countries with a different cultural context regarding the societal acceptance of different ways to establish a family. Wider implications of the findings: This study contributes to the understanding of the experiences of single women seeking fertility treatment in a welfare state where there are no differences in the possibilities for different social classes to seek MAR in the public health care sector. Trial registration number N/A

scholarly journals “Other” Characters: The Gendering and Racialization of “Disability” Within Newbery Award-Winning Books, 1922-2012

2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 73-101
Author(s):  
Adie Nelson ◽  
Veronica (Ronnie) Nelson
Keyword(s):  
Racial Identity ◽  
Gender Roles ◽  
Cultural Representations ◽  
Disability Rights ◽  
Persons With Disabilities ◽  
Newbery Award ◽  
Traditional Gender Roles ◽  
Male Characters ◽  
Children's Picture Books ◽  
Award Winning

Disability rights activists have long urged recognition of the import of cultural representations and their salience in the Othering process. Previous research on children’s picture books and novels has noted that persons with disabilities are commonly depicted in stereotypic and dehumanizing ways. This article explores the extent to which stereotypes of disability may be gendered and/or racialized by examining children’s books that won the American Library Association’s Newbery Medal between 1922-2012. It notes that the crafting of female and male characters with disabilities within these books pays homage to traditional gender roles, images and symbols and, most notably, reiterates an active-masculine/passive-feminine dichotomization. In addition, these representations suggest how racial essentialism is implicated in the production of “disability” within children’s literature, with non-white “racial” identity equated with various forms of impairment.

Aspirational Maternalism and the “Reconstitution” of Single Mothers in Morocco

2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-67 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica Marie Newman
Keyword(s):  
Single Mothers ◽  
Single Mother ◽  
Single Women ◽  
Single Motherhood ◽  
Ethnographic Fieldwork ◽  
Moral Discourses ◽  
The Ideal

AbstractThis article interrogates how employees at single-mother associations in Morocco construct the mère célibataire (single mother) as an archetypal, aspirational figure. Based on two years of ethnographic fieldwork (2013–15), this article traces how counselors work with single mothers to imagine alternative maternal futures. I argue that by invoking a counternarrative I call “aspirational maternalism,” single-mother advocates disrupt traditional maternalist rhetoric that excludes single women. Aspirational maternalism draws on moral discourses and neoliberal values of independence and responsibility. Through its deployment, counselors create affective space for single mothers to think beyond pathologizing portrayals of single motherhood in Morocco. Counselors also disrupt the neoliberal focus on calculated, self-interested action by centering “the mother-child couple” within aspirational maternalism. The ideal-typical Mère Célibataire is capable of achieving the transformation from victim to self-sovereign mother. And yet, aspirational maternalism elides the significant structural obstacles to independence that single mothers face.

Feminist Qualitative Research

2014 ◽  
pp. 136-164 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maureen C. McHugh
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Power Analysis ◽  
Social Science Research ◽  
Science Research ◽  
Feminist Research ◽  
Double Consciousness ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
Gender Oppression ◽  
Qualitative Approaches ◽  
Women's Lives

Feminist research is described in terms of its purposes of knowledge about women’s lives, advocacy for women, analysis of gender oppression, and transformation of society. Feminist critiques of social science research are reviewed in relation to the development of methodological and epistemological positions. Feminist research is viewed as contributing to the transformation of science from empiricism to postmodernism. Reflexivity, collaboration, power analysis, and advocacy are discussed as common practices of feminist qualitative research. Several qualitative approaches to research are described in relation to feminist research goals, with illustrations of feminist research included. Validity and voice are identified as particular challenges in the conduct of feminist qualitative research. Intersectionality and double consciousness are reviewed as feminist contributions to transformation of science. Some emerging and innovative forms of feminist qualitative research are highlighted in relation to potential future directions.

scholarly journals Food consumption, eating behaviour and self-esteem among singlev. married and cohabiting mothers and their 12-year-old children

2008 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 934-939 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristina Elfhag ◽  
Finn Rasmussen
Keyword(s):  
Single Mothers ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Sense Of Self ◽  
Single Mother ◽  
Eating Behaviour ◽  
Health Behaviours ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Soft Drinks ◽  
Family Status ◽  
Self Worth

AbstractObjectiveBeing a single mother may have implications for health behaviours that can also affect the child. More information about the food intakes and body weights in singlev. married/cohabiting mothers and in their children is needed. Psychological dimensions of eating behaviour and self-esteem are also of relevance to explore for single mothers and their children.DesignFood style patterns were assessed by self-reported consumption of fruits, vegetables, sweets and soft drinks. Eating behaviour was measured by the Dutch Eating Behaviour Questionnaire and self-esteem by the Harter self-perception scale. The participants were 1781 mothers and their 12-year-old children, of whom 278 mothers (16 %) were single.ResultsSingle mothers had lower intake of fruits and vegetables and lower self-worth compared to the married and cohabiting mothers, controlling for age, education and BMI. Although single mothers did not have a higher BMI, their daughters were heavier than girls from complete families. Daughters to single mothers furthermore had a higher intake of soft drinks, higher levels of restrained eating and lower self-worth. No such difference was found for the boys.ConclusionsA lower sense of self-worth and lower intake of fruit and vegetables in single mothers could be seen in the context of the social disadvantages and less social support. Girls may be more inclined to be affected by family status than the boys, seen in a more unfortunate psychological pattern and a higher body weight. Boy’s health behaviours may be more unaffected by living in single families.

scholarly journals Single Motherhood: Experiences of Never Married Women in Lagos, Nigeria

2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 100-112
Author(s):  
Samuel Ojima Adejoh ◽  
Raymond Kayode Kuteyi ◽  
Victor Ogunsola ◽  
Temilade Adeyinka Adeoye
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Abuse ◽  
Single Mothers ◽  
Family Background ◽  
Single Mother ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Snowball Sampling ◽  
Never Married ◽  
Depth Interview ◽  
Interview Guide

Despite the benefits of marriage, there has been a rise in the number of single parent families, especially never married single mothers globally. This may bring about serious social problems as the consequences of children raised by single mother have been documented. Yet, little research has been conducted to find out why there is increase in the number of never married single mothers. Therefore, this study investigated and described the experiences of women who were never married but are bearing children and raising those children as single mothers. The study adopted the qualitative research method, utilizing in-depth interviews to collect data from consenting participants. The study location was Iwaya, Lagos, Nigeria, and the participants were selected using snowball sampling technique. Forty never-married single mothers were sampled and interviewed using an in-depth interview guide. The data were transcribed and content analysed. Some of the perceived reasons for the rise in the number of never married single mother identified include family background, sexual abuse, age, careless sexual behaviour and non-use of contraceptives, personal preference and perceived economic benefits. There is the need to educate women on how to prevent sexual abuse and also on proper use of contraceptive for those who may want to engage in sexual intercourse, but may not be ready to get married.

scholarly journals Emotion Focused Coping in Single Mother Who has Adolescence with Autism

2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 158
Author(s):  
Elisabet Fransiska Dina ◽  
Faizah Faizah ◽  
Yuliezar Perwira Dara
Keyword(s):  
Single Mothers ◽  
Child Behavior ◽  
Control Patient ◽  
Stress Level ◽  
Emotional Support ◽  
Single Mother ◽  
Self Control ◽  
Social Emotional ◽  
Qualitative Phenomenology ◽  
Support Family

Single mother who has adolescence with autism have higher stress level than mothers who have normal ones and make themto do coping, one of them is emotion focused coping. The research is qualitative phenomenology based and analyzed with Miles Hubberman. Result showed most subjects tend to cope with escape (rejection and wishful thinking), social emotional support (family and environment), self control (patient), distancing (avoiding problems), positive reappraisal (pray to God) and accepting responsibility (acceptance and responsibility). Single mothers tend to cope with their own way frequently to reduce stress and when they facing their child behavior.

scholarly journals Mekanisme Survival Selama Pandemi Covid-19: Belajar Dari Pengalaman Perempuan Single Mother di Perdesaaan Madura

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (01) ◽  
pp. 80-92
Author(s):  
Deviana Mayasari ◽  
Hoiril Sabariman
Keyword(s):  
Single Mothers ◽  
Single Mother ◽  
Double Burden ◽  
Restriction Policy ◽  
Phenomenological Studies ◽  
Children's Schooling ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Difficult Situations ◽  
Survival Mechanisms ◽  
Taking Care

The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic adds to the burden for single mothers. In addition to performing two functions at once, the pandemic forces them to survive difficult situations. This article describes the challenges facing single-mother as well as survival mechanisms during pandemics by phenomenological studies through direct observation and in-depth interviews conducted on single mothers in Ponteh Village. Data showed some of the challenges single-mother faced during the pandemic. First, there is an increase in double burden. One of the additional tasks for a single mother is the increasing burden of taking care of households needs due to their children’s schooling from home. Second, the decrease in income for household needs resulted from the government's mobility restriction policy. Third, the stereotyping of women (widows) that leads to social pressures. Survival mechanisms carried out by single mother during the pandemic are as follows. First, fostering optimism and taking care of each other. Second, using social relationships. Third, downsizing through reduced consumption and food substitutes, and fourth, diversifying and intensifying their jobs. This article therefore adds to the understanding that single mother women are no longer considered women who are unable to take care of their families when in fact they are able to overcome helplessness and difficult challenges.

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