Rhetorical visions of unmarried mothers

Abstract

Bormann's fantasy theme analysis and Q‐methodology are combined to examine the symbolic reality of unmarried mothers. A dramatistic humanistic analysis of rhetoric produced by and about unmarried mothers identifies three rhetorical visions: the Down and Out Vision, the Making the Best Vision, and the Yummie Vision. The visions are composed of fantasy themes, types, and cues in relation to the following issues: Parents, Birthfather, Society, Relationship with the child, Disclosure, New men, Loneliness, Control, and the Future. Images from the rhetorical analysis are transferred to a Q‐sort card deck and sorted by 64 unmarried mothers into a “most like me—least like me” continuum. QUANAL is used to identify the extent to which unmarried mothers accept or reject the dramas about them. Five transcendent type rhetorical visions are identified within the subject pool, and these visions are discussed and interpreted in light of the rhetorical analysis. Communicative implications and suggestions for future study are also provided.

Key concepts:

• Bormann
• Fantasy theme analysis
• Q methodology
• Q sort
• Quanal
• Rhetorical Vision