Working Mothers: Intensive Mothering and Momism

Abstract

This literature review provides background information about the definition and historical context of mothering experiences. The concept of motherhood and meaning making have been intensively studied within both feminist and existential psychological perspectives, which are used in this paper to provide an in-depth understanding of different aspects of becoming educated, working educated mothers within the context of Turkey. According to the recently emerging momism concept, mother is redefined as an ‘expert’ who should predict and understand all the emotional, cognitive and physiological needs of their children. Mothers should be simultaneously therapists, pediatricians, teachers and best friends for their children. Similarly, intensive mothering suggests that child-rearing is construed as child-centered, expert guided, emotionally and economically absorbing, and labor intensive. Intensive mothering and momism appears to be common among well-educated working women The aim of this paper is to draw attention to the intensive mothering experiences of working mothers particularly in Turkey and facilitate the much needed research for in this realm. 

Keywords

• Intensive Mothering,Momism,Working Mothers,Motherhood

Çalışan Anneler: Uzman Annelik ve Yoğun Annelik

Abstract

Bu literatür incelemesi, değişen annelik deneyimleri ve annelik tanımının tarihsel bağlamı hakkında bilgileri sunmaktadır. Annelik kavramı ve anneliğin anlamı feminist ve varoluşcu yaklaşımlar tarafından derinlemesine incelenmiştir. Türkiye bağlamında eğitimli çalışan anne olmanın farklı yönlerinin derinlemesine anlaşılmasını sağlamak için bu yaklaşımların perspektifi bu incelemede sunulmuştur. Son zamanlarda ortaya çıkan momizm kavramına göre anne, çocuklarının tüm duygusal, bilişsel ve fizyolojik ihtiyaçlarını tahmin etmesi ve anlaması gereken bir 'uzman' olarak yeniden tanımlanmaktadır. Anneler aynı anda terapist, çocuk doktoru, öğretmen ve çocukları için en iyi arkadaş olmalıdır. Benzer şekilde, yoğun annelik, çocuk yetiştirmenin çocuk merkezli, uzman görüşü destekli, çocuk üzerinde yoğunlaşmış duygusal, fiziksel ve ekonomik bir emek olarak tartışılmaktadır. Yoğun annelik ve annelik iyi eğitimli çalışan kadınlar arasında yaygın görünmektedir. Bu çalışmanın amacı özellikle Türkiye'de çalışan annelerin yoğun annelik ve uzman annelik olarak adlandırılan deneyimlerine dikkat çekmek ve bu alanda ihtiyaç duyulan araştırmalara öncülük etmektir.

Keywords

• Uzman Annelik,Yoğun Annelik,Çalışan Anneler,Anne Olma

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