50 대 중년 여성의 모성경험에 관한 질적 연구 = Motherhood at Midlife : An Ethnographic Case Study of Mothers in Their 50`s

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

The purpose of this study is to describe and understand women`s experience as a mother in their midlife from the life-course perspective. In order to capture the meaning of motherhood experience from the women`s voice, this study used ethnographic case study method. In-depth qualitative data were gatherd from ten mothers in their 50`s. Major findings of this study were as follows. First, one of the major theme of the motherhood of the informants was instrumental maternity. This finding was discussed in terms of the socio-demographic characteristics of this cohort. Second, women`s subjective evaluation of their motherhood experiences at midlife is largely based on the cultural evaluation of success or failure of their children. Third, the nature of women`s family role and responsibilities and opportunities for them changed as children leave home. These midlife women responded to the shrinking of mother role with certain level of emotional distress, yet at the same time with the sense of increased freedom. In general, midlife women seem to have various source of self identify other than the motherhood.