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Cited by 41Family Dynamics and RelationshipsWork-Family Balance ChallengesGender and Feminist Studies

Making Sense of Dissatisfaction during the Transition to Motherhood through Relational Dialectics Theory

Cronin-Fisher, Valerie, Parcell, Erin Sahlstein·2019·Journal of Family Communication
DOI 10.1080/15267431.2019.1590364
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Abstract

Motherhood is a complicated experience as well as concept in U.S. society, and while several notions of motherhood circulate in U.S. culture, they are not equally accepted. Their unequal circulation is the focus of our study. Using relational dialectics theory, we sought to identify dominant and marginalized discourses evoked by new mothers who are dissatisfied with their transition to motherhood. Twenty women with a first child under the age of two years old shared their experiences during semi-structured interviews. These mothers’ talk reflects a variant on dominant discourses of motherhood – the Discourse of Motherhood as Innately Desired (DMID) where wanting to be, as well as looking like, a “good” mother are subthemes. However, the Discourse of Motherhood as Learned (DML) served as a counterpoint for sense-making that offers space for alternative, albeit marginalized, understandings of motherhood where it is not assumed as the primary goal for women nor a natural extension of their womanhood.

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Authors
Cronin-Fisher, V., & Parcell, E. S.
Affiliations
  • Governors State University (US)
  • University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee (US)
Corresponding author
Cronin-Fisher, Valerie
ORCID
Venue
Journal of Family Communication
Publisher
Informa UK Limited
Published
2019-03-17
Volume
19
Issue
2
Pages
157-170
ISSN
  • 1526-7431 (ISSN-L)
  • 1532-7698
DOI
10.1080/15267431.2019.1590364
OpenAlex
W2921746540
Cited by
41
References
50
Citations by year
2026: 7 · 2024: 10 · 2023: 10 · 2022: 8 · 2021: 2 · 2020: 1 · 2019: 3
FWCI
7.89
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
Journal of Family Communication (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Demography › Family Dynamics and Relationships
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Work-Family Balance Challenges
  • Social Sciences › Gender Studies › Gender and Feminist Studies
Keywords
motherhood, transition to motherhood, relational dialectics, motherhood discourse, sensemaking, postpartum women, marginalized discourses, gender norms

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