Intergenerational Changes in Motherhood: A Qualitative Study.

Abstract

Aim: This study aims to investigate the intergenerational change in motherhood experiences.

Method: This study was conducted in a qualitative design between October 2020 and February 2021. In the study, 26 mothers and 26 grandmothers were interviewed individually and online through a semi- structured interview form. The interviews lasted an average of 60-90 minutes, and the data were analyzed by transferring them to the MAXQDA Analytics Pro Qualitative Data Analysis Program.

Results: The mothers participating in the study are at least high school graduates and actively use social media. The majority of grandmothers are primary school graduates and housewives. Three themes were identified in the study. These themes are intergenerational similarities, differences, and causes of differences. Eight codes were determined under the theme of similarities, nine codes under the theme of differences, and four codes under the theme of reasons for differences.

Conclusion: While mothers and grandmothers reported that there were no changes in traditional mothering roles such as sacrifice, care-based love, patience, compassion, overprotection, and orderliness, they reported that there were changes in terms of knowledge, flexibility, respect for the child's individuality, and authority pressure. It has been determined that the most important factors in the changes experienced are intensive technology-Internet use, education, and economic factors.