“My Mom Always Tells that Story to Friends and Relatives”: Exploring the Phenomenon of Other-Presentation

ABSTRACT

To examine the phenomenon of other-presentation, we framed our study in communicated narrative sense-making theory (CNSM) and employed grounded theory to develop two typologies. Specifically, we sought to illuminate the ways parents characterize and construct the identities of their children when speaking to third parties and identify the types of stories parents tell. Based on theoretical sampling and a narrative adaption of the constant comparison method, we analyzed 60 stories children remember their parents telling about them. This resulted in four identity impression types (prodigal child, special child, party pooper, and child of misfortune) and four story functions (to tease, to express pride, to rebuke, and to entertain). Theoretical implications suggest the importance of the stories people tell about us in the identity construction process.