LE3 .A278 2000

2000

MacKinnon, David

Acadia University

Master of Education

Masters

Counselling

Education

Family rituals are implicated in healthy family functioning and reveal the values and beliefs of particular families. The research on their form and function is extensive; however, despite women's central place in the family, few inquiries have deeply explored women's role in and unique experiences of their family's daily rituals. This thesis examines three mothers' lived experience of daily family rituals through a series of interviews that invited participants to deeply explore their own family's daily rituals, their part in those rituals, the feelings and meanings they evoke and how they influence their understanding of themselves as mothers. Every effort was made to protect participants and foreground their voices. The narratives are presented under pseudonyms chosen by the participants. These provide a view of each woman's experiences with the phenomenon. A synthesis of the narratives and the literature explores the meaning of daily family rituals in participants' lives in an effort to gain a deeper understanding of the nature and meaning of those experiences. Implications of the research and recommendations for counselling and further research are explored.

The author retains copyright in this thesis. Any substantial copying or any other actions that exceed fair dealing or other exceptions in the Copyright Act require the permission of the author.

https://scholar.acadiau.ca/islandora/object/theses:3072