A single flavour of motherhood: An emerging identity in a young Bangladeshi woman

Abstract

How is a first time mother able to claim her new identity when a traumatic birth is experienced as a sudden loss, evoking previous unresolved issues of separation? This paper explores a young Bangladeshi mother's gradual reconfiguration of identity amidst the strain of motherhood. This process is reworked within the environment of her family, which presents its own problems in light of the sharing of mothering practices and the conflict with a more traditional Bangladeshi model. Weaning and the importance of a third position provide some internal space in order to work through these issues and encounter the nourishing aspects of motherhood.

Keywords:

• Bangladesh
• separation
• weaning
• extended family
• displacement
• fear of miscarriage

Notes

¹Eid ul-Fitr is an Islamic holiday that marks the end of Ramadan, the month of fasting. It celebrates the achievement of enhanced piety and is celebrated joyously with special congregational prayers and visits to family and friends.

Amma means mother in Bengali as well as in a number of other Asian languages.