A phenomenological inquiry into mothers' experiences of daily family rituals
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.
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https://scholar.acadiau.ca/islandora/object/theses:3072