| Summary: | The purpose of this dissertation is to explore the impact of cultural expectations about
motherhood and how it affects parenting a child with a disability. Culture is part of the
fabric of every society. It shapes the way things are done and our understanding of
why this should be so. There is a very close connection between parenting and
cultural attitudes and it is well-documented that the ways parents care for their
children is shaped by their cultural beliefs and values.
The methodology of autoethnography was used to explore my journey as an Indian
mother of a child with dyspraxia and my mothering experience. Data was gathered for
this research from my memory and reflective journals. The autoethnographic stories
were written after remembering and recollecting from my memory with an emphasis
on experiences that affected my life as a mother. Data analysis and interpretation
involved focusing in and out of the social and personal realm, alternating between
self and others, and sinking in and emerging out of the labyrinths of data. I have
attempted to better understand how Indian cultural expectations have affected my
personal experiences and expectations of motherhood by telling and reflexively
analysing my stories. This research has made me realise the power and
pervasiveness of cultural expectations and dominant ideologies of motherhood in my
life and how they have shaped and influenced my thoughts and action in parenting a
child with dyspraxia. The implications and suggestions for professionals and mothers,
based on my experiences, are also provided. The role of the father, the society and
the media in assisting children with disabilities and their families have also been
discussed.
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