A Narrative Analysis of Educators' Lived Experiences of Motherhood and Teaching

Autor/inn/en	Knowles, Mariska; Nieuwenhuis, Jan; Smit, Brigitte
Titel	A Narrative Analysis of Educators' Lived Experiences of Motherhood and Teaching
Quelle	In: South African Journal of Education, 29 (2009) 3, S.333-343 (11 Seiten)Infoseite zur Zeitschrift PDF als Volltext kostenfreie Datei Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	0256-0100
Schlagwörter	Mothers; Women Faculty; Teacher Attitudes; Cultural Influences; Beliefs; Role; Conflict; Family Work Relationship; Gender Issues; Sex Stereotypes; Identification (Psychology); Qualitative Research; Interviews; Journal Writing; Observation; Personal Narratives; Foreign Countries; South Africa + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Mother; Mutter; Frauenakademie; Weibliche Gelehrte; Lehrerverhalten; Cultural influence; Kultureinfluss; Belief; Glaube; Rollen; Konflikt; Geschlechterfrage; Qualitative Forschung; Interviewing; Interviewtechnik; Zeitschriftenaufsatz; Beobachtung; Erlebniserzählung; Ausland; Südafrika; Süd-Afrika; Republik Südafrika; Südafrikanische Republik
Abstract	In this article we argue that mothers often construct images of what they perceive as society's expectations of them. These images become the parameters in the eyes of society to which they aspire. This is reminiscent of the adage: "I am not who you think I am. I am not who I think I am. I am who I think you think I am". This study is based on analysis of the life-stories of four professional female educators. These mother-educators shared their assumptions, cultural values and beliefs and showed how these shaped the subjective construction and harmonisation of the multiple roles of mother and educator. It was found that they often find themselves faced with the conflicting and complementary dimensions of the multiple roles of mother and professional. We contend that these mothers set high standards and expectations for themselves as mother-educator and they worry about failing, not only themselves, but also "others". They see the world of work, including parents, educators and school principal, as being against them--which is possibly a manifestation of a faltering self-image and linked to feelings of inadequacy. It is argued that mother educators need to negotiate new meaning in terms of their own perceived multiple role expectations so as to enable them to experience success as both homemakers and professionals. The challenge for the mother then is to engage in a constant search for her own identity. (As Provided).
Anmerkungen	Education Association of South Africa. University of Pretoria, Centre for the Study of Resilience, Level 3, Groenkloof Student Centre, Department of Educational Psychology, Faculty of Education, George Storrar Road and Lleyds Street, Pretoria 0001, South Africa. Tel: +27-12-420-5798; Fax: +27-12-420-5511; Web site: http://www.sajournalofeducation.co.za/index.php/saje/index
Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2020/1/01