Mothering in the Wake of Childhood Violence Experiences: Reweaving a Self and a World at the Intersection of History and Context

Abstract

We examined the stories of 12 women mothering growing children at the intersection of personal history (childhood violence experiences) and symbolic, structural, and ideological forces and conditions. Women revealed their determination to reweave a self and a world, that is, to continually reconstruct and reconfigure their lives to change the story for themselves and their children. Women's ability to reweave, however, was facilitated or challenged through intersections with family, networks, single stories, and prescribed rules and routines. We propose that reweaving work is a significant phenomenon to consider as deeper understandings of the dynamic experience of adult resilience are sought.

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported by CARNA's Doctoral President's Scholarship award, Alberta Health Services Professional Development award, the University of Alberta Queen Elizabeth II Graduate Scholarship award, and the University of Alberta, Faculty of Nursing Graduate Studies awards.