A Study of Mothering Practice and Parental Leave among the Females Born in 1981-1990

• Main Authors: Tzu -yu Yeh, 葉滋宇
• Other Authors: Ming-Chu Chen
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2015
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/72110553074634201269

碩士 === 世新大學 === 性別研究所 === 103 === ABSTRACT This study analyzes 8 women born in the 80s who asked for parental leave. By close interviews, the researcher attempts to focus on the practice of being a mother for the females born in the 80s during parental leave, and their perspectives as well as self-fulfillment of nursery that the specific generation has showed. The research has found as followings: 1.The role and experiences of being a mother for women born in the 80s: Females born in the 80s wish to have stable performances on their work and space to spare from their lives. Although they cannot free themselves from the frame of “a perfect mother’s role”, it was known that they tried to use some ways to reach the balance. Females born in the 80s constantly amend and introspect their lives in the role of being a mother. 2. The practice of being a mother during parental leave for women born in the 80s : From an overall perspective, it seems that those interviewees still have to take the responsibilities in charge of the housework; further, they still always consider their “children and husbands” as the priority in their ordinary lives. However, women born in the 80s also negotiate and coordinate with their family members to transform difficult situations in which they encounter practicing the motherhood. 3. The social situation of leave-without-pay-nursery: Policy that seems beneficial for leave-without-pay-nursery in fact deters many women from looking ahead although they can apply for it. In many cases, the decisions for leave-without-pay nursery of many women are all under a breaking-the-caldrons-and sinking-the-boat mentality. Either they have other plans for changing their careers, or might face the worst situation which they would probably lose their jobs. Workplaces are not friendly to the policy of leave-without-pay-nursery, and the government’s mechanism for nursery is not flawless. There are many difficult situations truly knotty for working mothers in need of parental leaves. 4. Self-fulfillment during leave-without-pay nursery: With the idea of gender equality, females born in the 80s would not totally devote themselves to family and child-caring as the traditional women did. They learn to love and value themselves and attempt to fulfill their own careers. Females born in the 80s might be stuck in the frame of motherhood but try to find rooms to change. They give themselves space to breathe, and make effort to keep balance between career and family. Their thoughts and performances might present a different motherhood from the traditional concept.