An Ethnographic Case Study on the Early Motherhood

초기 모성경험에 관한 질적 연구

  • Noh, Young-Joo (Dept. of Child and Family Study Seoul National University Lecturer)
  • 노영주 (서울대학교 생활과학대학 아동${\cdot}$가족학과)
  • Published : 2000.09.01

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to analyze the structure of maternal experiences. This study applies ethnographic case study, interview data were collected through in-depth interviews of 10 key interviewees. Findings were as follows: (1) Experiences of the body were about creating a new being through the pain of giving a birth and differed according to woman's self-evaluation of identity. (2) Child-rearing experiences marked a shift of position from a child to a parent. Interviewees experienced the hardhsip of life as a mother, its meanings differed according to the social context of interviewees. Child-rearing experiences meant a process of personal maturity. (3) Mother-child relationship shaped by child-rearing experiences, is a process of building meanings. It led to empathy and reinterpretation of her mother's life.

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