A Narrative Analysis of Maternal Shame with a Focus on the Representation of the Good Mother in Iranian Culture
Subject Areas :Faeze Abedi 1 , شقایق زهرایی 2 , آزاده طاولی 3 , زهره خسروی 4
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2 - استادیار دانشگاه الزهرا
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4 - هیئت علمی دانشگاه الزهرا
Keywords: Iranian mothers, Maternal shame, Motherhood ideals, Narrative analysis, Social media.,
Abstract :
The present study aimed to explore how maternal shame is produced, intensified, and mitigated through cultural discourses and media representations of the good mother in Iran. The study was applied and qualitative. Data were collected through 34 semi-structured interviews with mothers of children aged two to twelve, who were selected through purposive sampling, and analyzed using thematic narrative analysis (Riessman, 2008). Three main themes were identified: (1) the production of shame within the conflict between traditional and modern ideals of motherhood, which positions mothers between contrasting models of sacrifice and self-growth, control and empathy, obedience and autonomy; (2) the intensification of shame through media portrayals on social media reproducing the image of the perfect mother; and (3) the mitigation of shame through redefining motherhood as good enough, facilitated by awareness, empathy, and shared experiences. Overall, maternal shame is a multilayered phenomenon arising from the interaction between cultural values, media representations, and mothers’ inner processes. Its alleviation requires concurrent change at all three levels, rethinking cultural discourses of motherhood, promoting realistic and compassionate media portrayals, and fostering mothers’ self-awareness and self-compassion.
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