Metaphors for Breastfeeding in Public: A Phenomenological Study

Öz

Breastfeeding is a fundamental human right, and every child should benefit from this right during the period recommended by international organizations. Due to its numerous health benefits, it is of paramount importance to provide women with the necessary environment to support, maintain, and facilitate breastfeeding. However, breastfeeding, particularly in public places, can face social limitations. In Turkey, literature on breastfeeding in public, which represents a distinct dimension of the breastfeeding experience, is limited. This study adopted a phenomenological design, which is a qualitative research method. Data were collected via an online form that included socio-demographic information and questions about breastfeeding. Participants were asked to complete the sentence: “Breastfeeding in public is like ……… because ………”. The study sample consisted of 190 participants, 142 of whom (74.7%) completed the metaphor sentence. Data were analyzed through content analysis using MAXQDA version 20. The mean age of the participants was 34.78±9.68 years; 78.2% were women, 71.8% were married, and 88.7% held a bachelor's degree or higher. The metaphors generated by participants were categorized into 12 themes: “first aid-emergency,” “physiological need,” “natural activity,” “torment,” “right-strength,” “sin,” “sexuality,” “social requirement-imperative,” “being spied on,” “social norms-taboo,” “peace-happiness,” and “intimacy.” The wide range of metaphors reflects both supportive and opposing views on breastfeeding in public. These perspectives are thought to be shaped by sociocultural factors.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• adults
• breastfeeding
• breast milk
• metaphor
• social norms

Sosyal Alanda Emzirmeye İlişkin Metaforlar: Fenomenolojik Bir Çalışma

Öz

Emzirme, temel bir insan hakkıdır ve her çocuğun, uluslararası kuruluşların önerdiği süre boyunca bu haktan yararlanması gerekmektedir. Emzirmenin sağladığı faydalar nedeniyle; kadınlara emzirmeyi destekleyecek, sürdürecek ve kolaylaştıracak gerekli ortamın sağlanması büyük önem taşımaktadır. Ancak emzirme, özellikle kamusal alanlarda, çeşitli sosyal sınırlamalarla karşı karşıya kalabilmektedir. Türkiye’de, emzirmenin farklı bir boyutu olan sosyal alanda emzirmeye ilişkin literatür oldukça sınırlıdır. Bu çalışmanın amacı, sosyal alanda emzirmeye yönelik yetişkin bireylerin algılarının metaforlar aracılığı ile belirlenmesidir. Veriler, çevrim içi olarak uygulanan ve sosyodemografik bilgiler ile emzirme deneyimlerini içeren veri toplama formu ile elde edilmiştir. Katılımcılardan “Sosyal alanda emzirmek ……… gibidir, çünkü ………” cümlesini tamamlamaları istenmiştir. Araştırmaya 190 kişi katılmış; bunların 142’si (%74,7) metafor cümlesini tamamlamıştır. Veriler, MAXQDA 20 sürümü kullanılarak içerik analizi yöntemiyle değerlendirilmiştir. Katılımcıların yaş ortalaması 34,78±9,68’dir; %78,2’si kadın, %71,8’i evli ve %88,7’si lisans ve üzeri eğitim düzeyine sahiptir. Katılımcıların oluşturduğu metaforlar 12 tema altında toplanmıştır: “ilkyardım-acil durum”, “fizyolojik ihtiyaç”, “doğal bir eylem”, “eziyet”, “hak-güçlülük”, “günah”, “cinsellik”, “toplumsal gereklilik-zorunluluk”, “gözetlenme”, “toplumsal norm-tabu”, “huzur-mutluluk” ve “mahremiyet”. Katılımcıların sosyal alanda emzirmeye ilişkin ürettiği metaforlar oldukça çeşitlidir. Bu metaforlar, hem destekleyici hem de karşıt görüşleri yansıtmaktadır. Bu görüşlerin sosyokültürel faktörlerden etkilendiği düşünülmektedir.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• anne sütü
• emzirme
• metafor
• sosyal normlar
• yetişkinler

Kaynakça

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