Motherhood and the disabled child in contexts of early education and care. (August 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Muthukrishna, Nithi; Ebrahim, Hasina
• Other Names: Singal Nidhi guest-editor.; Muthukrishna Nithi guest-editor.
• Is Part Of: Childhood. Volume 21:Number 3(2014:Aug.)
• Page Start: 369
• Page End: 384
• Publication Date: 2014-08
• Subjects: Cultural narratives -- disabled child -- motherhood -- South Africa; Children -- Periodicals; Child development -- Periodicals; Children -- Research -- Periodicals; 305.23
• DOI: 10.1177/0907568214524233
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0907-5682

Abstract

This article presents a theoretically based narrative analysis of conversations held with six women in South Africa who position themselves as mothers of disabled children. We examine the dominant socio-cultural narratives that impact the lives of the mothers as they enact motherhood, and the counter-narratives that emerge in the process. Three key themes are discussed: struggle, resiliency and agency; motherhood and the intersections of personal histories, spirituality and Ubuntu ; and the economics and politics of negotiating access to social benefits, including early intervention and education. The study highlights the contextual, situated and diverse nature of motherhood and the disabled child in contexts of early education and care.